PORT TOWNSEND — The founding Centrum executive director, Joseph F. Wheeler, died today at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle from complications relating to recently diagnosed cancer.
Dr. Wheeler, who was 77, was surrounded by family members when he died, according to the nonprofit foundation that runs music and arts programs at Fort Worden State Park for more than 25,000 participants each year.
Dr. Wheeler was a Wenatchee native who went on to play clarinet in swing bands in the Seattle area as he studied music at then-Washington State College. He taught in Tacoma schools and later developed cultural programs there after receiving a doctorate in music education.
In 1972, he was hired as a consultant to research a proposal to create an arts center at the decommissioned Army base Fort Worden, which had become a Washington state park. As a result of this role, he became the founder and first executive director of Centrum, the multidisciplinary nonprofit arts organization based at Fort Worden. He served as Centrum executive director for 23 years as it developed programs for writers, jazz musicians, fiddlers and other artists.
In addition to his work as the founder of Centrum, Wheeler held offices in many organizations, including serving as a commissioner for Jefferson General Hospital (now Jefferson Healthcare), including board chair.
The Joseph F. Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden — where the largest of Centrum events are staged — was named in his honor by the Washington State Parks Commission.
