Roger E. Wheeler, 88; NASA Intelligence Specialist

Roger Eugene Wheeler, 88, a retired intelligence specialist who later operated an air charter service, died June 5 of prostate cancer at the Fountains at Washington House, a continuing care facility in Alexandria. He was an Alexandria resident.

Mr. Wheeler was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, and graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

After serving in the Army for four years during World War II, he received a master's degree in economics and sociology from the University of Nebraska in 1947. He later did graduate work in political science at American University and attended the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

In 1947, Mr. Wheeler moved to Washington and joined the old Army Security Agency. He then worked for an Air Force intelligence unit for several years before joining NASA in 1962. He was an intelligence management specialist and assisted in developing cryptographic linkages for space missions, including Apollo 11, the first manned flight to reach the moon.

After retiring from NASA in 1976, Mr. Wheeler became a licensed electrician, real estate agent and pilot. He worked in property management for several years and, in the 1980s, was the co-founder of a small air charter service at Dulles International Airport.

He worked as an electrician for a friend who was a building contractor and helped remodel houses. He also served as secretary-treasurer of a gift shop run by his wife.

Mr. Wheeler was an Army Reserve intelligence officer from 1948 to 1980, retiring at the rank of colonel.

He was active in Alexandria civic groups and was the founding president of the Strawberry Hill Neighborhood Association. He later served as president of the Seminary Hill Association, the community where he lived for 50 years. He also was president of the Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations, which he helped found in 1964.

He was a member of Fairlington United Methodist Church in Alexandria and belonged to the Masons and the Reserve Officers Association.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Wheeler of Alexandria; two children, James Wheeler and Sandra Wheeler, both of Alexandria; a brother; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter.

-- Matt Schudel