Roger Edward Wheeler

On the evening of September 28th, 2025, Roger Edward Wheeler of Hopland California, passed away at the age of 76 with his family at his side. He was born on August 30th, 1949, in Camden, Maine, to Leonard Gallop Wheeler and Dorothy “Ducky” Lehnen Wheeler. Roger was the youngest child of Leonard and Ducky, with two older brothers, Russell and Bruce. The three boys grew up together in Massapequa, Long Island, sharing countless adventures on the open ocean, bays, canals, and beaches of Long Island. Roger developed a life-long love of water, and enjoyed boating, water skiing, scuba diving and surfing throughout his life. Whereas most teenage boys in the 1950’s wanted a fast car, Roger wanted, and built, a fast boat. He often boasted he had the fastest boat on Long Island, and never once lost a race – much to the dismay of the local harbor patrol and visiting tourists.

Roger graduated from Massapequa High in 1967, and a year later decided to follow his parents West, to Monte Nido California. He attended Cal Poly for several years where he studied engineering. He also took up took up surfing during this time, which would become another life-long passion. Eventually, Roger became dissatisfied with college and academia and began to realize that a corporate office job was not for him. He became enamored with the growing ‘Back to the Land’ movement and the ideals of working with your hands, living with nature, and becoming self-sufficient.

In 1971, both Roger and his parents moved to Garberville, California to pursue a new life in the remote mountains of Humboldt County. Upon moving North, Roger set to work almost immediately, purchasing a mobile sawmill with his brother Bruce, where they began to harvest and cut their own lumber. He also opened a Real Estate office in Garberville and assisted other people in purchasing and developing properties in the Garberville area. Roger went on to purchase 40 acres in Salmon Creek where he proceeded to build his own ranch and off-grid home over the next few years. During this process, he learned how to operate heavy equipment, which proved to be something he both enjoyed and excelled at.

In 1979, while on vacation in the Caribbean, Roger met his first wife, Chanel Wheeler, on the island of St. Croix. At the end of his 3-month trip, he asked her to move back to California with him and she agreed. They were married in 1980, and had one son, Brandon, in 1983. Roger and Chanel remained married for 18 years until their separation in 1998.

After learning they would be parents in the early part of 1983, Roger and Chanel decided to move south to Hopland, California. They purchased 230 acres of raw land, and Roger began what became his life’s work – the development and construction of Silver Oak Ranch. He would go on to build and develop the ranch over the next 40 years, largely by himself. There was nothing Roger couldn’t make or build on his own. He was skilled in everything from constructing roads, ponds, and water systems to concrete work and carpentry, as well as metal fabrication and welding.

After moving to Hopland, he opened his business, Wheeler Excavation, which would become his life-long career until he retired decades later. During this time, he became well known locally for his expertise, precision, and super-human work ethic in the construction and excavation industry.

In 1996 Roger branched out with his equipment expertise and began working as an independent contractor for Cal Fire as a dozer operator. He would go on to fight numerous fires over the next 25 years, including some of the most destructive in California history, such as the Mendocino Lightning Complex of 2008, the Rocky Fire of 2015, the Thomas Fire of 2017, and the Camp Fire of 2018 which destroyed the town of Paradise.

In 2007 Roger met Christa Valentin, who would become his life-long partner. Christa had two younger children, Leon and Naima, whom Roger took under his wing and raised as his own. Roger was always an excellent father and provider and was much loved by his small family.

Roger was an amazingly capable, talented and intelligent person whose drive and ambition were unmatched. His loss is felt deeply by his family, friends and loved ones. He contained an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and skill, developed from a lifetime of building and working with his hands and his mind. When Roger built something, he built it to last a lifetime and beyond. Though he may no longer be with us, his memory and mark on the world will endure.

Roger is survived by his partner Christa Valentin, son Brandon Wheeler (Julee Wheeler), son Leon Valentin (Else Valentin), daughter Naima Van Gelderen (Casey Van Gelderen), granddaughter Danica Wheeler, grandson Cooper-James Valentin, former wife Chanel Wheeler, brother Russell Wheeler (Peggy Lentz), cousins Lori Harvey (Robert Sagehorn) and Anne Gerdes, nieces Tara Little (Tony Little), Darian Duce (Eva Duce), nephew Ian Gerdes, grand-nephews Wyatt Little and Gauge Little, and grand-niece Zoe Little. Roger was preceded in death by his older brother, Bruce Wheeler, who passed away in June of this year.