Zale Parry wants the world to know how important, kind and patient teacher, Dr. Wheeler J. North, has been in the training of many diver-scientists. More women than men in the marine sciences followed his busy schedule of instructional operations punctuated by exciting experiments topside and underwater with the marine plant Kelp. For two years (1961-1962), I, as a volunteer, was one of those women who held the measuring tape cartridge to a giant Kelp plant's hold-fast while Dr. North swam with the tape reeling with him out of sight along the stalk as he headed down current to get the exact measurement of the day's growth. He was neat and precise in jotting down the numbers on his chart. Each plant was numbered with tags in those days. A list of variables of storm, calm, temperature, critter-sea urchins, and more, etc. plagued his joy of seeing a good crop. Frustrated with the sea urchins nibbling his crop, he handed a hammer or plumbers' wrench to his helpers to smash the evil-life out of the urchins which then produced a plate of plenty for the neighborhood of fish. Many times his work replaced acres of Kelp that were destroyed in a series of past years' devastation. He lived with a huge basket of hope everyday.
Wheeler was a sweetheart-of-a-boss. Never did he raise his voice in anger nor repute in difference a student's study. His fame and distinction were that he had those special gentle qualities of a true friend and devoted teacher rolled up into one giant-kind of person.

In 1962, he was the key figure as we put together an Arizona Highways-type of magazine for the underwater community. It was a beautifully illustrated slick magazine called Fathom. Two issues were printed but the magazine business and interest were not as big as his Kelp one.

Then a few years earlier (1958-1959), Wheeler with his renown peers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Jim Stewart and Connie Limbaugh, returned from a diving-filming trip off Capo San Lucas, Baja California. In their film cache they had one of the most intriguing geological phenomenon ever recorded in diving history of the underwater Rivers of Sand, Zale recalls. Dr. Wheeler North and the film "Rivers of Sand" were honored at the December 1959 International Underwater Film Festival in Santa Monica, California.

In gathering Wheeler stories, I'm certain someone will mention that Wheeler always looked dapper dressed in a sport coat and slacks with a white long sleeve shirt when the occasion called. However, I had attended a few functions with him, he was dressed to the nines. On one occasion the temperature in the meeting room was quite warm and it called for the removal of a sweater or jacket. I asked him if he would be more comfortable, it was perfectly fine to remove his sport jacket. His reply, "No thank you. I'm fine." As he said that he opened his coat where I could view his said comfort. As stiffly starched as his white collar and cuffs were, his shirt sleeves were torn to shreds beneath his arms...the sleeves were barely attached to the rest of the shirt. He smiled that Wheeler Smile.

Chuck, thank you for putting together this fine farewell with celebration for Wheeler. He is smiling!

In gratitude,
Zale Parry
Ambassador, The Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences