Richard L. Wheeler

Mr. Richard L. Wheeler, 70, of Melrose and Andover, MA, passed away on Sunday July 13, 2008. He was born in Melrose, MA on February 9, 1938 the son of Kenneth N. and Dora E. Wheeler and lived most of his life in Massachusetts. He also lived in California and Florida while he was working on various projects for his employer. He was a graduate of Melrose High School and the Wentworth Institute of Technology. He had been employed by MIT, the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory and lastly by GTE for 10 years. He was a great DAD. Mr. Wheeler was a member of the South Congregational Church in Lawrence, MA where he had served as church treasurer. He served in the Air National Guard and Air Force in Massachusetts and abroad. His interests were hiking in the White Mountains, camping at Dolly Copp Campground, and enjoying the Peabody River, friends, and campfires. He was an avid genealogist and member of NEHGS in Massachusetts. He adored building and refurbishing old cars and furniture. He was a swimmer and won many medals while in high school. He loved to travel, take in spectacular panoramas, and root for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. Members of the family include his wife Lisa (Mutti) Wheeler of Melrose and Andover, MA; 3 daughters Elisabeth Wheeler and husband Alvaro Munoz Fajardo of Andover, MA, Patti-Jean Corrente and husband James of Stoneham, MA and Diane Palmer of Melrose, MA; 3 sons Scott Wheeler and wife Tami of Melrose, MA, Ronald Wheeler and wife Maureen of Haverhill, MA and Robert Wheeler and wife Wendy of Haverhill, MA; 12 grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother Donald Wheeler. Memorial service will be held on Saturday August 2, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Congregational Church of Stoneham, Main St., Stoneham, MA. Famil and friends are invited to attend. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of ones choice.