Robert Wheeler
Robert (Bob) Harris Wheeler, age 87 years 10 months, of American Fork Utah passed away on June 6, 2025, of cancer and age-related issues. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing. Robert was born on August 6, 1937, in Burley, Idaho the second child and oldest son of Rufus Arthur Wheeler and Dora Harris.
Robert attended school in Burley and graduated from Burley High School in 1955. That summer he enlisted in the Air Force and later received dental assistant training at the Naval Training Center in Chicago, Illinois, and computer technician training at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. After over 20 years of service, he retired as a Master Sargent. He subsequently attended the University of Colorado at Denver majoring in engineering.
He spent a life devoted to family and to God. He met his sweetheart, Phyllis Mott at church while stationed at Payne Air Force Base in Everett, Washington. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on February 28, 1958.
Robert’s military career took him to Monterey, California; Everett, Washington; Essex, England; Corvallis, Oregon; Biloxi, Mississippi, Fairbanks, Alaska; Alexandria, Virginia; Easter Island, Chile; Great Falls, Montana; and Denver, Colorado. During this time, Robert and Phyllis’ family grew. They had 10 children whom they loved and cherished. After his military retirement, Robert worked as an aerospace engineering technician for the remainder of his career working for Lockheed/Martin, Hughes, and for Raytheon.
Robert served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in many capacities and was a faithful member. He was often a missionary and was set apart as a Seventy. Later he served in the temple, served a full-time humanitarian and welfare mission to Fiji with Phyllis, worked in family history, as well as serving in leadership positions.
He enjoyed bowling, hunting, running, woodworking, reading, music, and was an avid sports fan.
Robert is survived by his wife, Phyllis; children, David (Paula), Pamela (Brent), Deanna (Nathan), Annette (Becky), Suzanne, Jeannette (Steven), Katherine (Matthew), Daniel (Christine), Karen (Nathan), Carolyn (Constantino); 35 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren; his sisters Anne, Ruth (Dale), and Loraine (Michael).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Dora; his brother, Steven; his brother-in- law, Glen Banner; and his granddaughter Nicole Hunter.
An Evening Viewing will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 3396 N. 900 W., Pleasant Grove, Utah. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 14th at 11:00 am at the same location, where a Viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment with Military Honors by the United States Air Force will take place in the Utah Veterans Memorial Park Cemetery on Tuesday, June 17th.