Herb Wheeler — 1929-2017

Herb Wheeler

Herbert King Wheeler passed away peacefully on Oct. 28, 2017, in Reno with his wife, Donna, by his side. He was 88.

He was born April 10, 1929, at Morton Hospital in Taunton, Mass., to Charles Alden Wheeler and Marion King Wheeler. Herb spent his early and teen years in Mansfield, Mass., where he attended
Mansfield schools and was active in the scouting program and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

In 1945, he transferred to Tabor Academy in Marion, Mass., where he graduated with the class of 1948. Herb attended Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., and Babson in Wellesley, Mass.

He then joined the U.S. Navy, where he trained at Pensacola, Fla. He earned his Navy wings in April 1952. Herb flew fighters with VF-81 at Oceana, Va., and served on carriers USS Coral Sea and USS Antietam.

After release from the Navy he worked briefly in his father’s insurance business while continuing to fly with the Naval Reserve at NAS South Weymouth. Herb left the Naval Reserve with the rank of commander.

In 1956 Herb joined Trans World Airlines where he flew domestic and international routes for the next 31 years as first officer and later as captain.

He has made his home for 44 years in Zephyr Cove. He loved traveling and has visited much of the world while working and for pleasure with his wife, Donna. Herb loved flying his Lake Amphibian across the country and on several area lakes. He also spent many years boating on Lake Tahoe with Donna and many friends and family who joined them.

Herb particularly loved flying for the Navy and his career with Trans World Airlines where he accumulated nearly 22,000 flight hours.

He was a life member of the Association of Naval Aviation, Tail Hook Association, member and former president of the Military Officers Association Lake Tahoe Chapter, Sons in Retirement, Quiet Birdmen MEV Hangar, Crystal Bay Yacht Club, National Eagle Scouts Association, TWA Seniors and Pacific Northwest TWA Ambassadors.

Herb is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Donna, and four children from a previous marriage: Valerie Taylor (Jack), Kimberly Ludwig (Ray), Bradford Wheeler, Stephanie Putnam (Kevin) and 10 grandchildren.

His wishes are to be cremated and his remains interned in the Court of Honor at Happy Homestead Cemetery in South Lake Tahoe. He requests there be no memorial services and donations be made to a favorite charity in his memory.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends and hopes to be remembered for the good and happy times that were shared together.