In Memoriam:
Donald Wheeler, Longtime Trustee
And Former Board Chair

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach for Donald R. Wheeler, longtime Claremont McKenna College Life Trustee and former Chair of the College's Board. Mr. Wheeler, 85, died January 9 in Newport Beach, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Mr. Wheeler, a Corona Del Mar resident, played an integral role in the College's growth. First elected to the Board of Trustees in 1971, he served as chairman from 1976 to 1979, remaining on the Board and elected a Life Trustee in 1995. He remained active on the Board, attending the most recent meeting and serving with great care and interest on the Student and Alumni Affairs Committee at the time of his death.
Although not an alumnus of the College, Wheeler's commitment to CMC was evidenced by his interminable enthusiasm and generous financial support. His contributionsas well as gifts from his familysupported three scholarships: the Barbara and Donald R. Wheeler Scholarship, the Esther and Stuart G. Wheeler Scholarship, and the Ida and John Romick Scholarship.
"I am deeply grateful for the many years of Don's leadership and dedication to the College, and I valued his counsel on many occasions," President Pamela Gann said. "Don and his wife, Barbara, have contributed enormously to the fabric of the Claremont McKenna College community, and we will all miss his wonderful smile and encouraging manner."
The College honored Mr. Wheeler with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1979, and he also was inducted as an honorary member of the Claremont McKenna College Alumni Association. He was a 1944 graduate of Pomona College.
"Don was an exemplary leader and served as culture carrier' for CMC. He rarely missed a board meeting and was always fully engaged. We will greatly miss his active participation and insight as well as his warmth and charm," said Chairman of the Board of Trustees Harry T. McMahon '75 P'08 P'09.
A prominent local real estate investor and developer, Donald Wheeler was born on June 16, 1922 to a family of Claremont pioneers who set roots in the community at the turn of the 20th century. After graduating from Claremont High School, Wheeler followed in the footsteps of his parents, Stuart and Esther Wheeler, who also attended Pomona College. He served in World War II as a U.S. Army Air Corps communications officer in the South Pacific. While he was on Saipan, Mr. Wheeler unknowingly witnessed the Enola Gay leaving Tinian Island to bomb Hiroshimaa top-secret launch at that time.
In January 1944, Mr. Wheeler earned his lieutenant bars from officer's courses at Yale University and returned from the war as a captain. His studies at Yale enabled him to receive his degree from Pomona as a member of the Class of 1944.
His brother, Roger, and sister, Ruth, would also graduate from Pomona College several years later.
In addition to his longstanding dedication to CMC, Mr. Wheeler also served as chairman of the board of the Bank of Industry from 1980 to 1990, and was active on numerous civic boards, including the local American Red Cross, Visiting Nurses Association, Pomona Valley Community Hospital, Pilgrim Place, the Claremont United Church of Christ, and Kiwanis Club, where he served as president. He also was a former assistant Scoutmaster for Claremont Troop 401.
Wheeler also held a fervent appreciation for automobiles, holding memberships within Packards Internationala club devoted to the prestigious Packard motor carsas well as the Classic Car Club of America.
Former CMC President Jack Stark '57 called Don Wheeler not only a close and good friend, but also a "superb chairman of the board" at CMC.
"He provided valuable leadership to us during the early years, Stark said. "Don was a man who was very gracious and outgoing to everyone. My wife, Jil, and I will miss him dearly."
"Don was a legendary and supportive presence on the Student and Academic Affairs Committee, showing a deep commitment to our students and all aspects of the CMC experience," noted Jeff Huang, vice president for student affairs. "It was always very clear how much he enjoyed working with CMC students. At one of our fall meetings of the Student Affairs Committee, he commended those students attending the meeting for taking an active role in their education. He will be missed."
Family members share that during his final hours in the hospital, Mr. Wheeler talked, laughed, and reflected on his life.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara; son Dr. Stephen Wheeler, an oral maxillofacial surgeon and graduate of Stanford University and the University of Southern California and wife, Lynne, of Rancho Santa Fe; son David Wheeler, president of Majestic Realty Co. and graduate of the University of Southern California, and wife, Mae, of Newport Beach; a brother, Roger S. Wheeler, of Claremont; a sister, Ruth Fuller, of Rolling Hills Estates; and four grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Justin, and Chasen.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Claremont McKenna College, The Salvation Army, or the American Red Cross.
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church is located at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach, 92663, 949-631-2880.