Arthur Ledlie Wheeler ’44

Art died Oct. 4, 2008, in the Beaumont at Bryn Mawr (Pa.) retirement community that he had founded on Philadelphia’s Main Line years before. He was 88.

Born in Philadelphia, he came to us from the Gilman School and as the nephew and namesake of Art “Beef” Wheeler, Princeton’s All-American football guard of the 1890s. Art roomed with Richard Tilghman ’43, a lifetime friend, but was slowed academically by contracting tuberculosis. Before Art left us in 1942 to join the American Field Service in Italy, where he won a Purple Heart, he claimed an “honorary” membership in Ivy Club, and with his roommate, stole the clapper. For years, each held half the clapper mounted on a Princeton shield. Married during the war, Art later took his great sense of humor and business acumen into Philadelphia real-estate development. 

Art is survived by his wife, Carol; two sons, Arthur L. “Avie” Jr. and Edward; two daughters, Christine Patton and Leslie; a brother, Frederic C.; six granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren. We warmly appreciate the times we spent together and extend our condolences to all the family.