Dan L. Wheeler
Dan L. Wheeler lifelong resident of New Mexico born in Raton New Mexico passed peacefully in his sleep at age 92 in Albuquerque. He attended Heights elementary, Jefferson Middle School, Albuquerque High school and graduated from UNM with a degree in Civil Engineering.
Dan’s only significant time away from New Mexico was as a commissioned officer in the Coast Geodetic Survey (NOAA) setting survey monument markers in the unchartered areas of Alaska in the 1950’s. Most of his career was in the New Mexico Highway Department (NM DOT) where he retired. He was a field district engineer traveling the state with road projects. He was known to support his crews working emergencies late at night with coffee and donuts. He knew every mile marker in New Mexico. At 90 he could tell you where the nearest gas station or exit was on the major highways.
Dan encouraged curiosity and generosity. He was a life-long learner. Dan taught himself to program in Basic computer language in the 1960’s then built computers with the arrival of personal computers. At age 75 he re-took the calculus series at CNM passing with A’s. At 80 he took statistics and probability for the first time so he could tutor his daughter getting her master’s degree. For over 80 years he explored the world of religions, philosophy and what may exist in our solar system and beyond with his childhood friend Roy Thompson.
Every organization he joined he committed to take a leadership position. He organized annual events in support of the Shriner Children and Burn hospitals for more than 10 years in Santa Fe NM. He was treasurer or president and organized events for RV Club’s.
He was an adventurous traveler, Traveling extensively in Canada, Mexico, Spain and Portugal. His love for New Mexico kept him traveling to all corners and places in between until the pandemic. He was an avid Lady Lobo basketball fan attending every game until 2020. He loved going to Las Vegas with his family, always hopeful for a Mountain West Conference Title.
Just like everyone in the Wheeler family he had an opinion about everything.
Dan is predeceased by his parents Leslie and Helen Wheeler, his oldest brother and his wife Leslie and Mary Wheeler. Predeceased by his longtime partner Phyllis Shumway. He is survived by his brother Jack (Bar- bara) Wheeler, his three children Nancy (Rick) Nelson, Sharon (Antonio) Apodaca, and Jeff Wheeler, his former wife Patty Wheeler. and survived by Phyllis Shumway’s daughter Susan (Phil) Baca. He leaves six grand-children, nine great-grandchildren and 6 nephews. Special thank you to Dr Meredith Barlow for her many years of nurturing care and Tonya Herrera who provided loving assistance, care and a special friendship during his last few months.