Contributions to the tribute of Robert Peck Wheeler

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Thursday, January 12, 2023

I forgot to post this picture of my dad and I fishing in our younger days. It was my favorite thing to do with him. I can’t even count how many times he told me this was his favorite picture of US

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Robert Whitehead posted a condolence

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

I have one memorable day with Uncle Bob. 45 years ago I went by myself to visit my grandmother lolli and my cousins. Uncle Bob had invited me to fly with him the next day. Bob was Petter Piper and gave traffic reports in the morning and afternoon rush hour from his small plane. He told me he started early and to be ready waiting for him in the parking lot of Lollys condo. I got up early and waited at the planed meeting spot as time ticked by I wondered if Bob would show just when I was about to give up he pulls up in a 1957 corvette with the top down I mean the one you always see red with white interior coolest car on the planet at the time, Bob apologized for being late and blamed it on the traffic, I said for get flying let’s just ride around in this all day. As we hastily headed to the airport a call come over the radio station that sounded like this . Now let’s go to Peter piper and get the traffic report go ahead Peter …. Go ahead Peter.. .. well we will check on Peter in a few must be having communication difficulties. Being stuck in traffic we can respond! When we got to the airport Bob parked and hastily ran to this littlest airplane you have ever seen and made of rubber. Bob told me to pick up the tail and he pushed on a wing and we walked the plane on to the runway , it was a 2 seater and you sat behind bob like a motorcycle I actually asked for a parachute, he started the engine got clearance to take off and as taxing down the runway gave a traffic report the radio station was joking with him about his communication problems, after we did his reporting Bob explained this plane is a stunt plane and started doing loops and things and then he put it into a dive spinning and told me “ the longer we’re in it the faster we go “I said ok I’ve had enough ! I actually kissed the ground when we got home safe and sound , Uncle Bob to me was the coolest guy on the planet . I hope to fly with him again, Robert Whitehead

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Laura Kowalczyk Posted Jan 11, 2023 at 12:30 PM

Great story, Bobby! My dad was so much fun and every day was an adventure. He loved you so much. Thank you for the tribute.

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Linda Allen Posted Jan 11, 2023 at 1:10 PM

Such a great story Cuz! Brings back so many memories and makes me laugh! Dad took me aerobatic flying once. BEST day of my life I’ll never forget. He truly was a great pilot.

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Laura Kowalczyk uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

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A few of my Dads favorite things!

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Linda Allen uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

How does one talk about their father. For me it is difficult to express in words 60 plus years of life with “my dad”. I just know I love him. There are so many memories that I hold and remember on a daily basis, valuable only to me, small yet significant, but the biggest take away is that he has ALWAYS been there. A constant. A solid but quiet nonjudgmental peaceful soul. Just being in his presence always brought a piece of home back to my heart. Hearing his voice on the phone with “hello darlin” let me know everything was ok. He never shared his fears or troubles. Whether that was a good or bad thing I’ll never know but there was also comfort in him always being “Great!” You never think about your dad as not being there when you want to call or visit. I don’t know what that will look like for my future. But what I do know is that he will always be with me in my heart, continue to be a piece of my soul, and will be welcomed by his parents in heaven who will embrace him with open arms and love, to keep his own soul preserved in time. His legacy will be remembered and continued with each generation of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and beyond. I love you dad. I honor you. Never stop looking after me. I know you will always be there.

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The family of Robert Peck Wheeler uploaded a photo

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

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John Allen uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

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Couldn’t pass up this moment to share a memory that I had with Robert Wheeler. The day was like any other day, beautiful sunshine in South Florida and the girl I was head over heels about, asked me if we could stop by her fathers on our way to lunch that day. Having never met him I was a bit nervous but my cockiness and arrogance seemed enough at the time. The scene is represented by the pictures I uploaded. He sat there in his lazy boy chair, eating a full box of drumsticks, changing channels on the TV with a pool cleaning pole he had cut a groove in, while his dog (muttley) foamed at the mouth and was begging to eat me. Thank god for the sliding glass door that separated us or I would never have made it out of the house. The brick building signifies his size. The man was two of me, easily. I kept my composure that day and over the years came to know, appreciate, and love that man. He was the most kind and loving giant I have ever had the privilege to love. Because it was through that man that gave me his daughters hand in marriage, that my life became what it is today. I knew he was watching me when he was here on Earth and I am certain he is going to watch over all of us from his perch above the clouds. Love you Dad

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Laura Kowalczyk Posted Jan 10, 2023 at 4:42 PM

Oh, that was so funny and beautiful Johnny. I can hear my dad laughing so hard up in heaven. That was a great story and he loved you so much. PS. I love the stock photos. You posted that represent my dad’s life. You’re hilarious.

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Laura Kowalczyk uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

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This is Laura, my father’s first born. He was an amazing man who loved and protected his girls. he was my rock. Always there when I needed him. We shared many laughs and lots of love together. Even at the age of 64. I would still curl up in his lap in his La-Z-Boy chair and snuggle with him. He will be missed dearly every single second of every single day for the rest of my life. You are the best dad anyone could ever want daddy . Now rock on up there in heaven, and fly those fighter jets like you always wanted. I’ll see you someday and we’ll continue our journey together AGAIN . Amen to both of us.

Robert Peck Wheeler

1934 - 2023

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