Peter Allyn Wheeler

Peter was born on December 4, 1941, in Camden, Maine, to Earlyn "Stubbie" and Pearl (Nash) Wheeler. Growing up in the Camden and Rockport area with his sister, Nancy (Wheeler) Pike, Peter spent much of his youth working alongside his father, a well-known area landscaper. He also developed a passion for sports, particularly baseball and basketball, which he carried with him to Gould Academy in Bethel, graduating in 1960. He pursued an extensive education, earning his degree in Civil Engineering from Tufts University in 1964 and later his Master’s in Structural Engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle.

It was a local softball game that led to the most important chapter of his life. After the game, Peter visited the Humpty Dumpty in Rockland, where he chose to sit in the section of a young waitress named Linda. They were married on August 25, 1964, in Rockland, beginning a partnership of over 61 years that took them across the United States and beyond.

Peter’s career as a structural engineer with United Engineers & Constructors, later Raytheon Engineers & Constructors, led the family to live in many communities, including Brighton, Braintree, and North Reading, Massachusetts; Yuba City, California; and Kwajalein Island. His professional life was defined by the same precision and integrity he brought to everything he touched, contributing to significant national infrastructure and defense projects across the globe.

Later in life, Peter and Linda maintained a second home on Moose Pond in Bridgton, Maine, to keep close ties with family in his home state where they enjoyed numerous celebrations with family and friends. Their devotion to their children and grandchildren led them to spend their retirement years as "snowbirds," following the seasons and activities of their family between Maine and North Carolina. Peter eventually returned home to his beloved Maine roots in Rockland and Westbrook.

A man of quiet strength, Peter was known by all as a kind, steadfast, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He took the opportunity to instill bits of lifelong advice in his kids and grandkids, often reminding them to "measure twice, cut once" and that "there is no such thing as extra money."

He found great joy in the outdoors, taking up golf and both downhill and cross-country skiing in his adult years, and he always loved fishing on Moose Pond. Peter took great pride in landscaping his own homes, spending hours building stone walls and a rock fountain, laying each stone by hand. A talented woodworker, he also spent much of his time in his workshop crafting unique wooden toys for each of his eight grandchildren. He was an avid sports fan and a devoted follower of the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Celtics. However, his greatest satisfaction came from the sidelines of various sports fields, courts, and stages, where he cheered on his two children and grandchildren in their various activities.

Peter is survived by his beloved wife, Linda (Fifield) Wheeler, originally of Rockland; his son, Michael Wheeler and his wife Irma; his daughter, Bethany (Wheeler) Orr and her husband Joseph; and his sister, Nancy (Wheeler) Pike. He was the proud grandfather of Sara Wheeler, Emily Carroll and her husband Kevin, Hannah Wheeler, Tanner Orr, Jessica Orr, David Wheeler, and Jack Wheeler. He was also blessed with one great-grandson, Brooks Carroll. He is further survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dwight and Barbara Fifield, Gilbert and Jeanne Fifield, Moe and Cathy Fifield, and David and Donna Fifield, as well as Linda (Fifield) Wheeler (wife of the late Bruce Fifield).

He was predeceased by his parents, Earlyn "Stubbie" and Pearl (Nash) Wheeler, and his grandson, Matthew Wheeler.

Immediate family and select close friends will come together this Spring for a “Celebration of Peter’s Life.” In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peter’s name to the Lymphoma Research Foundation at: https://giving.lymphoma.org/pwheeler