Robert “Bob” Wheeler Jr.

Bob was born in Hayward, Calif.. on May 19, 1947. His family moved to Dallas when he was a child.

An avid baseball player, Bob was part of a winning team at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, 1963-65, where he was named All-City center fielder for three consecutive years. Following high school, he spent time playing in a minor league team until an injury dashed his dreams of a professional career. His teammates and coaches remember him for his special ability to steal bases, in particular home base.

Bob studied business at Kilgore College and in later years, moved back to Dallas, where, in 1982, he met and married the love of his life, Teresa Murphy. After years in Dallas, which included work in real estate and a year of theological studies, Bob and Teresa moved to Langley following a visit to Teresa’s sister, Martha Murphy. Within a year of making the move, they welcomed their precious daughter, Natalie, born on Christmas Day 1990 during a rare snow storm.

Bob was a real estate agent and always loved helping people find their dream homes. He was also a Langley volunteer firefighter and owner of Wheeler Galleries in Langley. He loved playing tennis and also fishing. Bob was a masterful networker and enjoyed connecting “like-minded” people. He was active in many churches, and his faith was the center of his life.

In September 2013, he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and given six months to live. Despite the diagnosis, he chose an alternative path of treatment that focused on diet and supplements to boost his immune system. Together, Bob and Teresa worked with their naturopathic physician and Bob was able to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle for the year that followed. He fought a courageous battle and was at peace at the time of his death on Nov. 27 at home in Langley with his wife and daughter at his side.

The family wishes to thank Friends of Friends, Island Home Nursing, Hospice of the NW, Island County Senior Services, Good Cheer Food Bank, SWSD, Trinity Lutheran Church, Calvary Chapel and caregivers Lori Erikson, Michaela Mattens, Donna Selig, Lenna Rose and Erin Simms for their loving care and support in recent months.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Wheeler Sr. and Esther Klein Wheeler (Ft. Worth, Texas). He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Teresa Murphy Wheeler, and daughters Natalie Wheeler (Langley) and Ashley Wheeler Bowen and her son, Ethan Merkel (Longview, Texas); brother Russell Wheeler (Ft. Worth) and sister Mary Wheeler (Bellingham, Wash.). Bob is also survived by his five “Murphy” sisters-in-law, Suzanne (Garland, Texas), Martha (Langley), Jeanne (Tyler, Texas), Mary Jane (Jackson, Wyo.) and Joany (Austin, Texas) and the many nieces and nephews, all of whom have been a part of his life.

A memorial service is being planned for early January. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Robert Wheeler donation fund at Wells Fargo Bank or the Good Cheer Food Bank.