Richard "Dick" Hazard Wheeler IV passed peacefully from this life on January 16, 2026 at the age of 96 following a brief illness. He was born on October 3, 1929 in Newport RI. He grew up in Newport and developed a lifelong love of pond hockey, skiing and music. He worked as a life guard at 3rd Beach in Middletown RI. He and his wife of 74 years, Louise Erickson Wheeler, were high school sweethearts. Dick attended and graduated from the University of Rhode Island, where he also attended Officer Candidate School. He then served in the US Navy as Officer of the Deck on the USS Coral Sea until 1955. Soon after an honorable discharge from the Navy , he and his young family moved to central Connecticut, where they remained for 68 years with homes in Hartford, Windsor Locks, South Windsor and Ellington. He worked for 35 years at the Travelers Insurance Company as a director before enjoying semi retirement in real estate. He was actively involved in roller skating and skiing well into his late 80s and the couple enjoyed retirement together in The Villages, Florida where he was particularly fond of dancing at the town squares. In addition to his wife, Louise, he leaves a son, Richard Wheeler V and his grandsons, Richard and Robert Wheeler, a daughter, Christine and his youngest daughter Rebecca Wheeler, her husband David Protheroe and their children Evan, Drew, Brett and Bryn Protheroe. He was predeceased by his grandson, Cameron Protheroe.