Carl Wheeler, Jr., 83, passed away on October 23, 2023, in Richland, WA.

Carl was born on December 20, 1939, in Albuquerque, NM, to Carl Wheeler Sr. and Mildred Wheeler.  Carl graduated from Valley High School in Albuquerque in 1957. Carl joined the army in 1959. Soon after he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Wheeler on August 2, 1959, in Albuquerque. They were stationed at Fort Baker in San Francisco until 1965.  After the army, Carl earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of New Mexico in 1966. In 1967, Carl and Peggy moved to Richland where Carl started his career as a Nuclear Engineer at Battelle.

Carl was an adventurer who loved fishing, hunting, and exploring the outdoors including taking his family on overnight backpacking trips. In 1978 Carl and Peggy moved their family to France for two years while Carl worked in a nuclear exchange program outside Aix-en-Provence. They explored and camped all over Europe while living there. After returning to Richland, Carl enjoyed watching both Dave and Stacey play soccer, which led to Carl becoming a soccer coach and referee for many years. When Carl retired from Numerical Applications Inc., Carl and Peggy enjoyed camping with their trailer and especially enjoyed their four grandchildren and all their activities. They spent many hours watching track meets, soccer games, horse shows, dog shows, band concerts, and gymnastics meets.

As grandkids got older, Carl thoroughly enjoyed gathering his family for meals, lively conversations and laughter.  At the end of every dinner, Carl made sure to give every person a hug and let them know that he loved them.

 Carl is survived by his wife, Peggy Wheeler of Richland, his daughter, Stacey Hankel (Chris), son, David Wheeler (Monica) and grandchildren Madison Hankel, Olivia Hankel, Ryan Wheeler and Lauren Wheeler.  Carl is preceded in death by his father, Carl Wheeler Sr., his mother, Mildred Wheeler, and his sister, Nancy Cast.

The service for Carl Wheeler will be held on November 17th at 10:30 a.m. at West Side Church in Richland, WA.