On July 4, 2016, Dr. Edward L. Wheeler, Ph.D. of Southbury, CT, passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 89.
Dr. Wheeler was a Research Scientist and leading authority in the field of rubber chemical products and was employed by Uniroyal Chemical Company of Waterbury, CT from 1956-1997. He continued to work as a consultant and major technical advisor to management for many years after his retirement.
In April of 1995, Dr. Wheeler was awarded Uniroyal’s first “Distinguished Fellow” certificate, the highest level on the company’s Technical Ladder; the position was created to honor his contributions, his talent for teaching, and his important role in Uniroyal’s success. Chemtura Corporation (fka Uniroyal) further honored him in 2011 by naming its new laboratory facilities in Naugatuck, CT the Nudenberg-Wheeler Technology Center.
Dr. Wheeler’s research concentrated on antiozonants for tires and antioxidants for elastomers, plastics and petroleum products. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Uniroyal’s products and he developed or improved many of the products produced by the Rubber Chemicals division. During his prolific career, Dr. Wheeler received 45 patents, seven Technical Achievement Awards, and authored a number of research papers.
A graduate of Phillips Academy at Andover’s class of 1945, Dr. Wheeler had a brief stint in the US Army Air Force before entering Brown University, where he graduated in 1949 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry, followed by a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and post-doctorate studies at the University of London, MIT, and Harvard. After considering a teaching career, in 1956 he accepted a position at what was then U.S. Rubber, the predecessor to Uniroyal Chemical, in Waterbury, CT.
Classical music was a lifelong interest, beginning with piano lessons at the age of five and violin study at the age of seven. During his years at Brown, he played violin in the Brown Orchestra and continued to play with the Waterbury Symphony until 1971. Dr. Wheeler was also an avid golfer known for his unorthodox golf swing. He was a member of the Watertown Golf Club and served as the organization’s President for eight years.
Dr. Wheeler was born in Mystic, CT on November 10, 1926 to Norton C. Wheeler, Sr. and Marion A. Wheeler. He was very close to his sister Virginia A. Wheeler (deceased), and his brother Norton C. Wheeler, Jr. and wife Mary A. Wheeler of Mystic, CT. He is survived by Norton and Mary Ann Wheeler, his five nieces and nephews, six great nieces and nephews, eight great great nieces and nephews, and one great great great niece.
A graveside funeral will be held at the convenience of the Family.
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