WHEELER: A good man gone

As the many friends of Dennis Wheeler take this time to remember the life of this extraordinary man, I wish to add my cherished memories of my friend of almost 48 years.

Dennis was gifted as a visionary leader, a true icon and an institutional giant not only due to his entrepreneurial success establishing a world class corporation creating jobs for many individuals and the well-being for their families, but equally important was his passion and devotion to support numerous charities, educational institutions, health and medical services and a strong commitment to human rights.

I first met my friend on Nov. 10, 1971, when he and Gonzaga University Professor Father Nigro made a joint presentation at the North Idaho College Popcorn Forum. I’ve cherished that long-term friendship for almost five decades.

To demonstrate Dennis’s appreciation of friendship he had with so many people, let me share my personal experience.

I often got a call from Dennis inviting me to lunch. During those lunches, he inquired how could he help with our human rights work, assist with educational needs and especially for college students, ways to bring people together for civil dialogue, and he always shared his latest world travels regarding his expanding knowledge of people around the world and the rich diversity he encountered. He often became my teacher regarding world affairs.

Please permit me to give two examples from those luncheons to illustrate his giving spirit. At one luncheon, he authorized me to contract with a sign company for the signage “Human Rights Education Institute” that graces the entrance to the HREI center in Coeur d’Alene. Second, as CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation (Coeur), he made sure that his company was an annual sponsor of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Banquet. I shall always be grateful that the KCTFHR Board honored my friend Dennis with our annual KCTFHR Civil Rights Award at our banquet on March 20, 2006.

We all will miss our dear friend, but take comfort in the time we had with him and the remarkable legacy he leaves us, as well as future generations.

I extend my deepest sympathy to all the members of Dennis’s wonderful family. Rest in peace my good friend.

TONY STEWART

Coeur d’Alene