Richard A. Wheeler, 103, passed away at Calvin Community on July 10, 2026. Family will greet guests from 3:00-4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Iles Dunn’s Chapel in Des Moines. A memorial funeral service with military honors will take place at 4:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed at Ilescares.com. He will be interred beside his wife, Lois, at Resthaven Mausoleum at a later date.

Dick was born on a farm near Alden, Iowa on August 28, 1922, to Leonard and Meta (Granzow) Wheeler. He graduated from Alden High School in 1939. He attended Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa Falls and spent a year at Iowa State University, before joining the Army. He served in World War II for three years, three months, and three days. In the spring of 1942 Dick met Lois Jeanne Kerr of Des Moines. They corresponded during his military commitment and were married on June 15, 1947. Dick was fond of saying he “must have looked good on paper.”

Dick completed medical school at the University of Tennessee (Memphis) in 1949. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Kappa medical fraternity. After his internship at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, Dick re-entered the Army as an M.D., serving one year at Camp Crowder in Missouri. He then joined Associated Anesthesiologists of Des Moines, retiring in 1984.

He was a member of Windsor Presbyterian Church for many years, serving as an elder and trustee. Dick also taught Sunday School and led youth groups and was a Skipper of Mariners. He later became a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Dick was active in the YMCA, serving on the camp board for many years. He was also a member of the Y’s Men’s Club selling Christmas trees to benefit the Y-Camp at Boone. He was a past mayor of Family Camp and taught marksmanship and gun safety to hundreds of kids.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, father Leonard and mother, Meta; his wife, Lois; and his sister, Virginia Conrad. He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia (Steven) Cox; son, Michael (Kristi) Wheeler; his twin daughters, Judith (Michael) McDonough, and Janet (Peter) Kitzman; eleven grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Memorials can be made to Five Fires Foundation benefiting the Des Moines Y Camp: (1192 166th Dr., Boone IA. 50036), or the Calvin Community Good Samaritan Fund: (4210 Hickman Rd. Des Moines, IA. 50310.)

Iles Dunn's Chapel is managing arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at Ilescares.com.