Note: This message was originally sent on March 5, 2019
We learned the sad news that Dennis Wheeler passed away on Feb. 25, but his family legacy shines through the students whose educations he has supported through the Coeur Mining Engineering Fund and the Dennis and Jacqueline Wheeler Centennial Scholarship. In his honor, allow us to share a bit about Dennis and what he and his wife, Jackie, have done for GU students and our region.
Dennis and Jacqueline Wheeler Centennial Scholarship
- Established in 2014 to provide financial aid in support of second and third-year law students at Gonzaga Law School; Dennis and Jackie committed to creating this fund during a period when having additional scholarship funds helped the School of Law combat a downturn – nationally – in students enrolling in law school.
- 5 unique, individual students supported
Coeur Mining Engineering Fund
- Established by the Wheelers in 2011 to support the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the Dean’s discretion.
Dennis Wheeler built Coeur d’Alene Mines (Coeur) from a small Idaho silver producer that started in his grandparents’ bakery into a $2 billion international silver and gold mining enterprise. The bakery became a hub in Idaho’s Silver Valley, where prospectors met to exchange deeds for mining claims. It was the experience of rising at 3 a.m. to help bake the day’s bread in this same bakery that helped Wheeler to develop the strong work ethic and interpersonal skills that would later serve him well in the mining business. It was under his leadership that Coeur d’Alene Mines purchased and developed mines on three continents, in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico in South America; in Australia and New Zealand; and in Alaska at the Kensington gold mine outside Juneau. Wheeler was a leading spokesperson and advocate for the mining industry, a director of the National Mining Association and the World Gold Council, and a former president of the Silver Institute. Additionally, Wheeler was an advocate for environmentally responsible mining; Coeur d’Alene Mines won awards for remediation work at its properties. Wheeler was a recipient of the 2005 Kootenai County Civil Rights Awards for his work on human rights and received the first environmental conservation award given by the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers. He was the Coeur director for 33 years and CEO for nearly 25 when he resigned in 2011.
Luke Russell, vice president of external affairs for Coeur d'Alene-based Hecla Mining, worked under Wheeler at Coeur d'Alene Mines. "He was an icon in our industry who invigorated Coeur d'Alene Mines," Russell said. "He could be ferocious about the success of the company, but one-on-one in his office, he was a man with an incredible heart and sensitivity. He cared so much for people, organizations, and the communities."
An alum of the University of Idaho with degrees in business and law, Dennis Wheeler was one of three men who started the Jobs Plus economic development agency in 1987. It remains an active public-private agency, retaining good jobs and attracting new ones to Kootenai County.
His far-reaching support went toward the development and sustainability of several fundraisers, educational efforts, and local arts initiatives in North Idaho. "He was a great servant leader of our community," said Steve Wilson, president and CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce.
Dennis was a sports fan (loved Gonzaga basketball) who loved fly fishing and traveling with his wife, Jacqueline, whom he lovingly referred to as “Mrs. Wheeler”. He spoke with great affection about all of his grandchildren and how accomplished they are and placed a high value on Catholic education, spurring his fondness for Gonzaga University.