Here are two images of Wheeler, taken in Tahiti in 1972. Most members of the Underwater Advisory Board on Underwater Parks and Reserves participated in a "project" there, put on by a con artist. Our group was supposed to "help" the locals develop underwater parks. It was a fun trip, but nothing came of our efforts.

That was the first time I had a chance to get to know Wheeler and Barbara, although we first met about a year previously. My favorite memory of Wheeler was on a very cold morning at Pt. Arena, where Wheeler and other biologists from PG&E and California Department of Fish and Game were doing some preliminary intertidal surveys for PG&E’s new nuclear generating plant. We arrived at the intertidal right after dawn. The air temperature was about 50EF, and the water temperature was about 48E. All the rest of us were dressed in wet suits, but not Wheeler. He stripped off his clothing, down to a bathing suit and some type of footwear! Then went into the cold water to begin his inventory of the critters. Wheeler spent at least an hour doing his inventory, and no one saw him shiver once! I was totally impressed.

I am so sorry that I cannot make it to the party, but I will be thinking of Wheeler, and all of you, and hope that all of you have a wonderful time, in celebrating this very unique scientist.

Dan Gotshall
Sea Challengers, Inc.