Ted Wheeler Obituary, Ted Wheeler has passed away unexpectedly

 Ted Wheeler Obituary, Death – Ted Wheeler, who coached the track and field team at the University of Iowa for many years, passed away on November 17 in Iowa City. He was 91. Wheeler was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, although he spent his childhood in LaFayette, Georgia, before moving to Illinois, which is where he launched his career as a track and field athlete. In 1972, Wheeler became a member of the Iowa coaching staff, serving as an assistant to Francis X. Cretzmeyer. 1973 was the year that he was given the position of head coach of the cross country team. In 1978, he was chosen to lead the track team’s coaching staff, and he remained in that role until he resigned in July of 1996.

Wheeler earned all-American accolades in cross-country competition during the 1951-1952 school year, which he was participating in for the first time at the University of Iowa. Later on, during the track season, he added all-American laurels in the 800 and 1,500 meter events, and he also participated on the record-breaking 1,600 meter relay squad that Low University had at the time. He was able to earn a spot in the U.S. Olympic trials in the 800 meter and the 1,500 meter distances when he was a sophomore. Wheeler’s running career at Iowa was cut short when he was drafted into the United States Army in 1953; nonetheless, he went on to become the chief track coach for the Army at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Individually, he won the half-mile, the mile, and the three-mile races, and he was the all-service winner in the 880-yard run. This accomplishment came at the same time that he led his team to the Fifth Army team championship. Wheeler went back to Iowa after completing his time in the military so that he could concentrate on his education and track career. In 1956, he won the 800 meter indoor and outdoor races as well as the mile event to earn the title of Big Ten Champion. In the 1,500-meter run, he was also able to earn a spot on the United States Olympic team in 1956. He won the mile event in the Drake relays on two separate occasions and captained three relay teams that went on to win the event. In 1957, Wheeler completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in political science.

After graduating from Iowa, Wheeler continued to be successful in a variety of endeavors. In 1961, he was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame, and in 1967, the University of Iowa established a track scholarship in his honor. On Friday, December 2, 2022, from 4 until 7 o’clock in the evening, there will be a viewing held at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, located at 605 Kirkwood Avenue in Iowa City. On Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, there will be a gathering to honor Ted’s life and share memories. The gathering will begin at 11 a.m., and there will be a reception from 10 to 11 a.m. After the funeral, the burial will take place at Oakland Cemetery. Anyone who wishes to do so is more than welcome to pay their respects.

 Ted Wheeler Obituary, Death – Ted Wheeler, who coached the track and field team at the University of Iowa for many years, passed away on November 17 in Iowa City. He was 91. Wheeler was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, although he spent his childhood in LaFayette, Georgia, before moving to Illinois, which is where he…