I met him several times....

When I was in first grade Wheeler was invited to give a talk on quantum mechanics by the physics department at OSU, he spent a couple of nights at our house in the room that I eventually got to have as a bedroom later on. I remember him as friendly, and eager to discuss his work... I remember my father and him staying up late discussing the philosophic implications of quantum mechanics...

About a year after that my father did 6 months sabbattical with Wheeler at UT Austin, we had him over for dinner at the little house we rented on Pearl street- There is a funny story about that dinner, but I maybe should let Yeti tell it...lol.

When I went to UT Austin as a student he was invited by my quantum physics professor, Dr. Oakes, to talk to our class about his memories of his past as one of the creators of modern physics... I was stunned at the changes he showed- with age had come a failing memory, the talk started off wonderful but then it became clear that his memory was failing and it upset him... His mind was sharp, but he had serious difficulties with memory.

He was one of the best scientists of his distinguished generation... He had an amazing life... His name pops up over and over in the history of physics in the 20th century. The book 'Gravitation' that he wrote with two others was often referred to as 'The Bible' when I was a student- It was an incredible work. He was a great scientist/philosopher/human being.

Rest In Peace