Obituary: Robert Mitchell Wheat March 2, 1931 – Nov. 3, 2022

ROBERT MITCHELL WHEAT March 2, 1931 – Nov. 3, 2022

Robert Mitchell Wheat, known by all as Bob, was a kind and gentle man. He was born on a farm in McKenzie, Tennessee on March 2, 1931; the 10th of 12 children born to Walter Lee and Hattie Seaton (Stephenson) Wheat.

He was called home on November 3, 2022 at the age of 91 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

Bob enjoyed a lot of exceptional experiences during his life. He lived and worked on a farm as a child along with his siblings, Carlett Franklin (January 5, 1989), Thelma Lois (February 23, 1993), Rozell Ruth (May 9, 2002), Hattie Bell (December 25, 1986), John Jeter (January 16, 1999), Martha Faye (July 29, 2001), Hilary Lee (October 17, 1998), B.J. (March 18, 1987), Marlon Ralph (July 22, 2014), Delores Angelene (June 27, 1995), and Bobbie Dwayne.

Bob served in the US Army, the “A” Battery, 197th AFA Battalion, in the mid 1950’s stationed in Germany. He graduated cum laude from Lansing Community College with an associates degree in Electronics Technology. Later, he received his BS in mathematics from the University of New Mexico.

Music was one of Bob’s passions from the time he was young. This passion led him to play several instruments and join several bands. Before and after serving in the military, he played with Tex Ferguson and the Drifting Pioneers, playing in locations around Michigan and Illinois. While playing in this band, he met a beautiful woman, Dalores Irene (Konenski). They were married in Lansing, Michigan.

In 1961, he moved his then small family from Lansing, Michigan to Los Alamos, New Mexico to accept a position at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Bob retired from LANL after 32 years of employment.

Bob participated in Los Alamos Little Theatre where he acted and worked on scenery. He was even an extra in a movie filmed in New Mexico. In the early 1970’s, Bob returned to his music and starting his own bands, Trigo 4 and El Tigre. He played in nearby locations in New Mexico often playing at the Los Alamos Golf Club. Later, he even performed solo gigs.

Another one of Bob’s passions was science fiction, both books and movies. This passion led him to acquire quite a large collection of science fiction books. He spent many weekends visiting used book stores to find treasures to add to his collection.

After retirement, Bob discovered a new passion … horse racing. He and his son, Richard, would attend horse races at Albuquerque Downs and Santa Fe Downs on the weekends. He became fascinated with the comprehensive data and statistics included in the Daily Racing form. This fascination, along with his talent for mathematics, led him to develop his own method of handicapping horses. Eventually, Bob obtained an owner’s license and acquired his first race horse … Madam Moonbeam, a thoroughbred mare. Madam Moonbeam was just the first of several race horses, both thoroughbreds and quarter horses, he would acquire. Together they won a total of 21 races before Bob retired them to a life outside the track.

Bob enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren Anthony Cook, Tara Cook, Paul Wheat, Sarah Wheat, David Wheat, Daniel Wheat, Kyle Wheat, Kylie Graham and Madison Graham; and great grandchildren Jordan Danae Cook, Dylan Jave and Cooper.

Bob is survived by his youngest sibling, brother Bobby Dwayne of Dresden, Tennessee; and his four children, Bonnie Jean (Cook) of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Robert Mitchell Jr. of Rueter, Missouri, Richard Michael of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and Jody Lynn, of Issaquah, Washington; in addition to his nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A military funeral will be held at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Thursday, May 18th at 2:30 pm to honor his life.

Search
LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems