Hartselle Veterans’ Outreach mourns passing of former director

By John Ely

For the Enquirer

Robert “Bob” W. Wheeler of Hartselle passed away at his residence June 10. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the regional manager of Veterans Outreach of Alabama prior to his retirement in January. He is survived by his wife Carol Wheeler. Graveside service was held June 19 Hartselle Memory Gardens.

He joined Veterans’ Outreach mission in 2002 after his retirement. Friends of Wheeler say he was smart, savvy, charismatic, funny, kind, and gentle; that he made a mark on this world, and he will be fondly remembered.

As fate would have it, he passed in the same week that the Hartselle Veterans’ Outreach Office building was dedicated to him as a tribute, now called The Wheeler Building.

While he was not able to see his name on the building with his eyes, his family said his heart was deeply touched in his last hours of this life.

It was his passion and expertise that went into Alabama and created a resource for veterans that will live on and continue to stand ready to assist veterans in need. After his retirement, Carol, his wife, took the place of her husband as the manager of Hartselle Veterans’ Outreach.