Bob was an extraordinary person as many of you know. His passion for work, play and people will remain unprecedented. On a recent fishing trip with Bob, I had only three fish to show for it so Bob loaded my cooler up with salmon fillets that kept family and friends happy for months back home! I never did tell folks that I didn't catch those fish! Thanks for some awesome memories Bob.
Please use this website to post your stories about Bob. Leave your name and city/state if possible below your post. This can best be done by using the "Comment as" button below your post.
Bob was a great guy. I got many a call from him on winter days when it was sunny in my office in Utah and dark already in Fairbanks. He got "down here" to see us a lot though. We enjoyed his company. So long Bob. Mike Kuhns, Logan, Utah
Bob Wheeler was a friend to Extension wherever he went. Other than the thousands of Wheeler tales that Rick Hamilton told, I had but a single chance to experience southeastern fishing with Bob and his wife on the banks for the Roanoke River. He lived up to his reputation ofr slaying fish. He will be sorely missed at the 2010 ANREP meeting in Fairbanks, but I have fervant hope that his stamp and memory will live on forever. MAM. Raleigh,NC
What a shock. Bob was such a wonderful colleague. One of my fondest memories of Bob is from a joint project that involved taking a group of teachers from Kentucky to Alaska to facilitate exchanges of information on forests between the two states. While on the trip, I can remember Bob stopping the bus, pulling out his fishing rod and fishing for an hour while a bus load of waiting participants sat watching bears by the side of the stream. I believe the fish actually were calling Bob’s name from the van…taunting him to come and catch them, so he could not refuse. I always marveled at how well he knew what was really important in life. Bob was such a credit to the profession of forestry. He brought a passion to it and his call for accuracy furthered us all. He will be sorely missed.
In March 2002 I took my young son (12) to Alaska to work with Bob on What Is forestry, a project between Elliott County Kentucky and Alaska youth. We visited schools and Bob challenged Kevin in front of Alaskan youth, he praised him to the University’s administration, he taught him about the Boreal Forest, they ate lots of ketchup together, He had an impact on my son that was incredible, a lasting positive influence that will stay with him throughout life. My son is a senior in college with a double major in physics and math and a dream of a PhD in physics largely because Bob Wheeler showed him how to have fun, change lives and be a true warm caring human while all the time being a professional. Thank you Bob and Bev....the world needs more people like you. Gwenda Adkins, County Extension Agent for FCS Elliott County Kentucky
I was with Bob shortly after his chemo treatment on June 24, as we were scheduled to meet with various people over the next three days to continue planning our post-conference field study tour to Valdez. Bob's brother, Ralph, my son Jared were also with us. While it was heart-wrenching to see Bob after his radiation and chemo treatments and see what they and the cancer had done to him, it also was amazing and inspirational to see him deny all that and focus on the ANREP conference. We left for Valdez on June 25 and spent the day driving and meeting with various folks that will participate in the stops on the field tour, and ended the day in Glennallen, AK. Bob did well that day and showed great joy in getting to eat at his favorite burger and shake lunch spot in Delta Junction, a local legend according to Bob. That would prove to be his last real meal, and I'm glad he was able to enjoy it. Bob had a tough night and retired without eating dinner, but insisted we continue to Valdez the next day. We arrived about noon and Bob had to go to the hotel. I was able to continue work without him that afternoon, but Bob had to go to the Valdez hospital, and then about midnight was med-evacuated to Fairbanks. His brother drove back, and he and Bob's wife, Beverly, were able to be with him his last couple of days.
I wanted to tell all of you this because I wanted you all to realize how much this 2010 ANREP conference meant to Bob. He may have lasted a little longer without trying to continue with this , but it meant too much to him and he could not conceive of letting it go, and he knew there was much to be done. Bob was ecstatic when he learned that over 130 abstracts had already been submitted for the conference in early June. Alaska is an amazing place, and Bob had led us to an exciting conference agenda. It would do a great honor to his memory and his contributions to Extension, SAF and ANREP if we can dedicate the 2010 ANREP conference to him, and if we all make a special effort to attend if we have not already committed to that.
Forestry and extension certainly have lost a great person and contributor. Like many, I will never forget Bob's generous nature and in particular a fishing trip to Valdez following the WCC's excursion in Alaska. I much valued my many heart to heart conversations with Bob, and found him remarkably humble given his deep knowledge on so many topics. We had talked about many future joint projects and his enthusiasm was always infectious. Words cannot express how deep the unexpected loss of this friend are felt.
A year ago I was fly fishing in an Alaska river with Bob and Bev. I have his calendar on my office wall. We will all miss his generosity and friendship. I'm going fishing this weekend and think of him.
Bob and Bev took Deb Young and me fishing in Valdez in 2006. Cindy and Peter were there too. It was one of those special experiences that I will never forget. He didn't even care that I wasn't a forester, I was welcome. My sympathy to his family, may you take comfort in all the wonderful memories.
Wow, what a shock to have a person so full of life leave us so suddenly. I grew to know Bob these past few years through his involvement in SAF, ANREP and the WCC group. Bob always had a list of stories to tell and he made any visit a fun event.
Thanks to Bob, my wife and I were able to have a great excuse to visit Alaska and get a tour of the far north. We would never have done this if Bob hadn't arranged for the WCC group to meet in Fairbanks and then take a "short" bus ride north of the artic circle. What a great experience traveling with a great group of people, sharing the reading of the Cremation of Sam McGee, watching the northern lights, breaking down and watching a video to kill time while a new bus was found.
Thanks Bob for these and many other memories!
Bob Sturtevant Extension Forestry Specialist Colorado State University
I got to know Bob during the 2008 NKF US Transplant games as Co-manager for Team Northwest. You could not miss that he really enjoyed his running by all the questions he asked regarding the different events at the games. It was such a joy to see him get his silver medal in his running event. Bob you will be missed.
I so appreciate all of you taking the time to write about Dr. Wheeler. He was definitely his own person and someone whom enjoyed meeting others. He took an active interest in what others knew and with a constant smile always appreciated learning and working on new projects. Thank you for being his friends, co-workers, and community servants. I was honored to have been able to work for Dr. Wheeler.
I was lucky enough to work with Bob last spring while on Sabbatical. He was the consummate professional--dedicated and focused on service. I enjoyed his quick wit,wonderful sense of humor and hospitality. He and Bev were gracious hosts and I enjoyed getting to know them first after an ACF meeting in Anchorage. The world is a better place because of Bob and he is missed. Debbie Gaddis
Bob was an extraordinary person as many of you know. His passion for work, play and people will remain unprecedented. On a recent fishing trip with Bob, I had only three fish to show for it so Bob loaded my cooler up with salmon fillets that kept family and friends happy for months back home! I never did tell folks that I didn't catch those fish! Thanks for some awesome memories Bob.
ReplyDeletePlease use this website to post your stories about Bob. Leave your name and city/state if possible below your post. This can best be done by using the "Comment as" button below your post.
Bob was a great guy. I got many a call from him on winter days when it was sunny in my office in Utah and dark already in Fairbanks. He got "down here" to see us a lot though. We enjoyed his company. So long Bob. Mike Kuhns, Logan, Utah
ReplyDeleteA condolence to Bob’s extended family. All of us in forestry circles throughout the US will sorely miss his professionalism, wit, and joyous laugh.
ReplyDeleteDon Hanley, Kirkland WA
Bob Wheeler was a friend to Extension wherever he went. Other than the thousands of Wheeler tales that Rick Hamilton told, I had but a single chance to experience southeastern fishing with Bob and his wife on the banks for the Roanoke River. He lived up to his reputation ofr slaying fish. He will be sorely missed at the 2010 ANREP meeting in Fairbanks, but I have fervant hope that his stamp and memory will live on forever. MAM. Raleigh,NC
ReplyDeleteWhat a shock. Bob was such a wonderful colleague. One of my fondest memories of Bob is from a joint project that involved taking a group of teachers from Kentucky to Alaska to facilitate exchanges of information on forests between the two states. While on the trip, I can remember Bob stopping the bus, pulling out his fishing rod and fishing for an hour while a bus load of waiting participants sat watching bears by the side of the stream. I believe the fish actually were calling Bob’s name from the van…taunting him to come and catch them, so he could not refuse. I always marveled at how well he knew what was really important in life. Bob was such a credit to the profession of forestry. He brought a passion to it and his call for accuracy furthered us all. He will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteIn March 2002 I took my young son (12) to Alaska to work with Bob on What Is forestry, a project between Elliott County Kentucky and Alaska youth. We visited schools and Bob challenged Kevin in front of Alaskan youth, he praised him to the University’s administration, he taught him about the Boreal Forest, they ate lots of ketchup together, He had an impact on my son that was incredible, a lasting positive influence that will stay with him throughout life. My son is a senior in college with a double major in physics and math and a dream of a PhD in physics largely because Bob Wheeler showed him how to have fun, change lives and be a true warm caring human while all the time being a professional. Thank you Bob and Bev....the world needs more people like you.
ReplyDeleteGwenda Adkins,
County Extension Agent for FCS
Elliott County Kentucky
I was with Bob shortly after his chemo treatment on June 24, as we were scheduled to meet with various people over the next three days to continue planning our post-conference field study tour to Valdez. Bob's brother, Ralph, my son Jared were also with us. While it was heart-wrenching to see Bob after his radiation and chemo treatments and see what they and the cancer had done to him, it also was amazing and inspirational to see him deny all that and focus on the ANREP conference. We left for Valdez on June 25 and spent the day driving and meeting with various folks that will participate in the stops on the field tour, and ended the day in Glennallen, AK. Bob did well that day and showed great joy in getting to eat at his favorite burger and shake lunch spot in Delta Junction, a local legend according to Bob. That would prove to be his last real meal, and I'm glad he was able to enjoy it. Bob had a tough night and retired without eating dinner, but insisted we continue to Valdez the next day. We arrived about noon and Bob had to go to the hotel. I was able to continue work without him that afternoon, but Bob had to go to the Valdez hospital, and then about midnight was med-evacuated to Fairbanks. His brother drove back, and he and Bob's wife, Beverly, were able to be with him his last couple of days.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tell all of you this because I wanted you all to realize how much this 2010 ANREP conference meant to Bob. He may have lasted a little longer without trying to continue with this , but it meant too much to him and he could not conceive of letting it go, and he knew there was much to be done. Bob was ecstatic when he learned that over 130 abstracts had already been submitted for the conference in early June. Alaska is an amazing place, and Bob had led us to an exciting conference agenda. It would do a great honor to his memory and his contributions to Extension, SAF and ANREP if we can dedicate the 2010 ANREP conference to him, and if we all make a special effort to attend if we have not already committed to that.
Forestry and extension certainly have lost a great person and contributor. Like many, I will never forget Bob's generous nature and in particular a fishing trip to Valdez following the WCC's excursion in Alaska. I much valued my many heart to heart conversations with Bob, and found him remarkably humble given his deep knowledge on so many topics. We had talked about many future joint projects and his enthusiasm was always infectious. Words cannot express how deep the unexpected loss of this friend are felt.
ReplyDeleteA year ago I was fly fishing in an Alaska river with Bob and Bev. I have his calendar on my office wall. We will all miss his generosity and friendship. I'm going fishing this weekend and think of him.
ReplyDeleteBob and Bev took Deb Young and me fishing in Valdez in 2006. Cindy and Peter were there too. It was one of those special experiences that I will never forget. He didn't even care that I wasn't a forester, I was welcome. My sympathy to his family, may you take comfort in all the wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteBob Sturtevant said...
ReplyDeleteWow, what a shock to have a person so full of life leave us so suddenly. I grew to know Bob these past few years through his involvement in SAF, ANREP and the WCC group. Bob always had a list of stories to tell and he made any visit a fun event.
Thanks to Bob, my wife and I were able to have a great excuse to visit Alaska and get a tour of the far north. We would never have done this if Bob hadn't arranged for the WCC group to meet in Fairbanks and then take a "short" bus ride north of the artic circle. What a great experience traveling with a great group of people, sharing the reading of the Cremation of Sam McGee, watching the northern lights, breaking down and watching a video to kill time while a new bus was found.
Thanks Bob for these and many other memories!
Bob Sturtevant
Extension Forestry Specialist
Colorado State University
I got to know Bob during the 2008 NKF US Transplant games as Co-manager for Team Northwest. You could not miss that he really enjoyed his running by all the questions he asked regarding the different events at the games. It was such a joy to see him get his silver medal in his running event. Bob you will be missed.
ReplyDeleteNelda Copsey
Springfield, OR
I so appreciate all of you taking the time to write about Dr. Wheeler. He was definitely his own person and someone whom enjoyed meeting others. He took an active interest in what others knew and with a constant smile always appreciated learning and working on new projects. Thank you for being his friends, co-workers, and community servants. I was honored to have been able to work for Dr. Wheeler.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to work with Bob last spring while on Sabbatical. He was the consummate professional--dedicated and focused on service. I enjoyed his quick wit,wonderful sense of humor and hospitality. He and Bev were gracious hosts and I enjoyed getting to know them first after an ACF meeting in Anchorage.
ReplyDeleteThe world is a better place because of Bob and he is missed.
Debbie Gaddis