ALBANY - "I have fought the good fight. I have stayed my course. I have kept the faith." These words from Timothy Chapter 4, is George C. Wheeler's testimonial to a well-lived life. George C. Wheeler, 87, formerly of Front Street, Schenectady, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July12, 2011 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany.
He was born in Aberdeen, MD. October 9, 1923, the son of the late George Charles and Julia Elizabeth(Watrous) Wheeler. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara Schell, of Connecticut, and his former wife, Dorothy Whittemore Wheeler. George is survived by his loving wife, Clare F. Weiner, and by his children from his former marriage;Scott C., Craig W. Mark D., Matthew L., Tracy E., and Bruce H.; nineteen grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A graduate of Lehigh University in Penna. as a metallurgical engineer, George worked at G.E., first at Lynn, Mass., then as Manager of Welding Engineering at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, and eventually as Manager of Non-destructive Testing Engineering at G.E.'s Power Generation Division in Schenectady.
He served his national professional society, American Society for Non-destructive Testing, for many years, as a national board member, and eventually as President of the Society. For his work, he was honored at different times as ASNT's Honorary Member, Gold Medalist and Fellow, and was its longtime Chairman of certification activities, including international certifications for the International Standards Organization.
What started out as traveling for business became an end in itself, as George and Clare circled the globe,mostly in pursuit of viewings of wild creatures in their natural habitats. An enthusiastic fisherman and golfer in his spare time, George's real métier, however, was the woods, particularly the Adirondacks. He knew the name of every tree, plant and flower, and delighted in teaching his children, and later his grandchildren, woods lore. He was one of that intrepid group of hikers who first scaled all forty-six of the Adirondack high peaks. A rock climber as well, the Adirondack Mountain Club asked him to teach rock climbing to aspiring youngsters, a task he performed with pleasure.
". . . and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. . . ."
A private service will be conducted at the convenience of the family.