Paducah Maritime Industry Remembers Ken Wheeler
Kenneth A. “Ken” Wheeler, a longtime maritime industry executive and waterways advocate who helped shape river industry and educational initiatives in Paducah, Ky., died October 14. He was 93.
Wheeler spent more than 40 years in the maritime industry, beginning with work on nuclear submarines and later holding leadership positions with Midland Enterprises and its affiliated companies. He served as president of the Propeller Club of the United States from 1990 to 1992 and held leadership roles with several other waterways organizations.
“Ken Wheeler was one of the people who built this industry and then spent the rest of his life making sure the next generation had what they needed to carry it forward,” said Ian McVicker, president of the Paducah Propeller Club. “He went from building nuclear submarines to running some of the busiest boat yards on the inland rivers, and he brought that same standard to Paducah, helping make it the maritime community it is today. To the Propeller Club he was a former national president, a mentor and a friend. He was also one of the first people to welcome me when I came to Paducah, and I know I’m one of many who could say that. Our industry and our port are better because of Ken, and he will be deeply missed.”
Wheeler earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Southern Methodist University in 1957 and completed training at the Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology. He joined Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., when the U.S. nuclear submarine program was in its early years. During 24 years with Ingalls and Litton Industries, he worked on the design and construction of nuclear submarines and other blue-water vessels, rising to vice president of submarine programs.
In 1981, Wheeler joined Midland Enterprises in Port Allen, La. That year, the company sent him to Paducah to oversee its purchase of Walker Boat Yard and R&W Marine. What was expected to be a two-to-three-month assignment became a stay of more than four decades.
During his career with Midland and its affiliated companies, Wheeler served as vice president of maintenance and repair at Port Allen Marine, president of Walker Boat Yard, vice president of Hartley Marine, president of R&W Marine and vice president of maintenance and repair for all Midland Enterprises companies. He retired in 1998 after 42 years in the maritime industry.
Wheeler’s work in the industry extended beyond his corporate responsibilities. He was president of the Tennessee River Valley Association and chairman of the Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council. He worked with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on river safety and helped bring the Seamen’s Church Institute to Paducah.
Deb Calhoun, media editor for the Paducah Propeller Club, recalled Wheeler’s mentorship and his continued involvement in waterways issues.
“We won’t see many like Ken Wheeler come our way again,” she said. “He was such a mentor and friend to me over my career, and always willing to be supportive of any waterways-related cause or issue. He had a mind like no other, and just a few weeks ago was discussing WRDA (Water Resources Development Act) 2014 with me and remembered all the details. We lost a legend this week in Ken,” Calhoun said.
Wheeler also devoted considerable time to civic and educational initiatives in Paducah. He served for 34 years on the Paducah Junior College Foundation board, supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and helped bring NASA’s Challenger Learning Center to Paducah. He also advocated for the establishment of the University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering Paducah campus.
Wheeler chaired the River Heritage Center, now the River Discovery Center, helping advance public understanding of the region’s waterways and their importance to the Paducah community.
“Ken had a tremendous impact on both the waterways industry and on the great success of the River Discovery Center in Paducah,” said Julie Harris, a member of the board of governors of the Paducah Propeller Club and retired executive director of the River Discovery Center. “He was an advocate both locally and nationally and believed strongly in the importance of educating our public and the next generation on the impact our waterways have on our communities. His influence has left a lasting legacy on the center, the river industry and Paducah.”
Caleb King, chairman of the Paducah Propeller Club’s board of governors, also recognized Wheeler’s commitment to the industry.
“Ken was one of the most devoted advocates for the marine industry I’ve ever known,” King said. “His deep knowledge, generous leadership and unwavering willingness to get involved made a lasting difference. He will be deeply missed.”
Wheeler’s contributions were recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Rivers Hall of Fame and Rotary International. Paducah named him a Duke of Paducah, and, in 1999, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell recognized his career and civic contributions in the Congressional Record.
Born July 11, 1933, in Globe, Ariz., Wheeler was the son of Lynn Onyx Wheeler and Isabelle Sarah Atkinson, both of whom preceded him in death, according to his official obituary. He was married to his wife, Jean, for 62 years before her passing in 2018.
Wheeler is survived by his daughters, Leslie Ann Wheeler (JoAnn Miller) of Jacksonville, Fla., and Laura Allison Wheeler (Gordon Kingsley) of Marietta, Ga.; two granddaughters and a great grandson.
A service honoring Wheeler’s life was held October 24 at Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah. Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services handled arrangements.
