46 replies to this topic

[Jim Drago]

Thoughts and prayers are needed for one of the true ambassadors of our class. I don't have all the details, but apparently Dave's cancer came back and he is not doing well at all. He is currently in the hospital and the prognosis is not very good. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. 

 

[Bench Racer]

Dave will be included in my prayers. 

[Tom Sager]

All my best to Dave, his family and the crew at the shop. 

[reyno010]

Hate to hear that, prayers for him and his family. He is always great to work with and has helped many of us get started. 

[chris haldeman]

This is the worst kind of news. After speaking to Dave a week ago I knew he was not doing great and tests had been scheduled. News came to me that Saturday he was transported to the hospital via ambulance. I have spoken to Ben and it is not good at all. Dave is non coherent and on a ventilator. Dr’s are giving him only days to live. Dave has helped me from the building of my first car to building my engine biz. I already miss him!

[Steve Scheifler]

Wow, I was unaware of these latest problems. So sad to learn of more hardship for Dave and his family. There often seems no explanation other than shear randomness.

[Mark McCallister]

This is very sad news to hear. Hope for a miracle for them and thinking about the family - they have been through so much.

[Ron Alan]

Horrible news...will be a huge loss to the community

 

Prayers for all his family and those close to him.

[FTodaro]

Wow words are not good enough. Dave has always been the go to guy for us. So sad for what he and his family have been through the last few years, just not fair at all. Thoughts and prayers for him and family.

[Tom Hampton]

So sorry to hear. There just isn't a way to say what impact Dave has had...

[Jim Drago]

I was informed Dave Wheeler passed away this morning. As many have said, words can't come close to describe this. Dave and his family has certainly been dealt a rotten hand the last few years from his heart attack, to cancer, then Annes cancer and passing and now Dave.  Life can be very random and cruel at times. The class will certainly miss him and all he has done for the class.  Godspeed Dave

[scott sanda]

Dave was one of the best individuals I have ever met.  This is incredibly saddening and disturbing.  Too many good people, going way to soon.

[OrangeCrush86]

Very sad news. I only met him once, but he was a stand up guy who ran a very friendly and helpful business. Condolences to his family and friends.

[Mark]

So sad. I never met Dave in person. I only spoke to him on the phone from time to time and via email. Same with Ann. Both are people I felt a connection with and a sense of loss with their passing. Megan, Anns daughter, worked at the shop next to mine for a couple of years and is such a nice young lady. My heart goes out to her and the rest of the Wheeler clan. 

[dbednarz]

This is awful.  First Ann, and now Dave.  Dave Wheeler would help anybody at the track (and off) and find a way to get you going again, whatever the effort on their part.

 

He will be missed greatly.

[trimless]

Condolences to the family. Dave will truly be missed by all.

[screaming monkey]

Every facet of Dave's personality was on display last night while he was surrounded by his family, including some introspective moments and a fair amount of jokes. Dave was the reason I was able to join this community as a driver. He and Ann will forever be in our hearts and minds.

[Tom Sager]

Very sad and Waaayyyyyyy too young.  He had so much left to do and enjoy.  Like others have said, he was there to help anyone especially at the track and he bailed my butt out with last second parts or repairs several times.  Thank you Dave and your crew. 

 

I recall a day some months after he had gotten through his cancer treatment he bought a car from me and on short notice he drove down to pick it up.  It was during the off season in this part of the country. We agreed to have lunch while he was here.  We loaded the car quickly and there was a new restaurant that had opened across the street so I said let's go there. We had a nice talk, not in a hurry, talked about racing but also family and challenges we both had running small businesses.  It was a really nice talk.  He went on his way and toward the end of the day he sent me an email, not thanking me for lunch.  Apparently he got sick on his way back and had to stop the truck several times to vomit. I felt awful about that.  We since laughed about it. 

 

This is one of those times when it's hard to reconcile why he's left us.  Maybe there was a strong call from Ann.  He missed her a lot this year.  Forever grateful to have known him and hopefully his family and his racing family can carry on in his honor. 

[LarryKing]

I have a feeling Dave's name will live on.

[gags13]

So sorry to hear this news. Dave was great guy. He surrounded himself with a great wife and crew. Dave, Ann, and the crew made a great team and were always willing to help me out. If Dave wasn't around then I never would have gotten into spec miata. Thank you Dave for everything you did. Condolences to his family and the Advanced crew