George Wheeler

I entered USNA from Marietta Senior High School in Ohio.  In 1976 I graduated and was commissioned in the Marine Corps where I spent 20 years as a Combat Engineer.  After retiring from active duty in 1996, I became a licensed Professional Engineer and supported the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Environmental Management program as a contractor until 2022.  My wife Mary and I have two children and four grandchildren, all near us in the Phoenix, AZ area.

I learned to row as a high school student in 1970 and have continued ever since.  So far, rowing has taken me to 22 states, the District of Columbia, and 1 foreign country – I hope to add more in the coming years and to meet new friends along the way.  Friendships I’ve made through this sport are among my most cherished and long lasting.  The crews I rowed with in high school, college and beyond, and all the athletes I’ve taught to row or coached to championship speed learned a valuable life lesson from rowing -  pulling together is the best way to move everyone forward.  I’m pulling together with all the GOATs Row participants to support my friends in USNA ‘75, to honor classmates we’ve lost from USNA ‘76, and to help raise money for the Emily Whitehead Foundation and the Annapolis Rowing Club.