WHEELER, CHESTER, a spirited, energetic leader who  co-founded Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen and was a key partner in Tijuana Flats  Burrito Co., passed away peacefully on Nov. 29 surrounded by family. Born May  17, 1940 in New Orleans, Chester remained closely tied to the city of his youth  throughout his life. He graduated from Harvard Business School before embarking  on an illustrious 30-year career at Lockheed Martin. Chester held several  financial executive positions at the aerospace giant before retiring as Chief  Financial Officer and EVP of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Engineering  Division. Beloved for his quick smile, sense of humor and unwavering positive  attitude, Chester was best known locally for his instrumental role as a partner  and owner in Tijuana Flats. He initially lent his son Brian $30,000 to open the  first restaurant near the University of Central Florida, a small investment  considering the company’s growth into a business generating nearly $100 million  in annual sales today. When Tijuana Flats began to take off it didn’t take much  convincing for the retired high-energy executive, never one to sit still, to  jump in with both feet as its Chief Financial Officer.
Chester stayed in  that role for nearly 15 years before ‘retiring’ to only serve on the company’s  board earlier this year. Retirement didn’t suit him any better the second time  around, and he continued working on nearly a daily basis in the company’s  Maitland offices until recent weeks. Chester’s love for New Orleans never  diminished, and he returned frequently, including celebrating Mardi Gras with  his children and their families there on an annual basis. This shared passion  between father and family culminated in Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen, which Brian  and Chester Wheeler and business partner Camp Fitch created and launched early  this year in Winter Park. The restaurant is named for his Uncle “Tibby,” who  Chester, his son-in-law and Brian rescued from the Superdome in the wake of  Hurricane Katrina and brought back to Orlando for the final years of his life.  From the numerous research trips to New Orleans with Brian and Camp, to cooking  up batches of gumbo and other specialties for his partners in his home kitchen,  Chester was involved every step of the way as the trio developed the concept.  The project brought him great joy as those around him could clearly see, and his  infectious laugh was frequently heard in the restaurant from the first day it  opened. In addition to his second career in the restaurant business, Chester was  involved in other ventures including the development of The Parke House Academy,  a private school in Winter Park founded and run by his daughter Debbie Knight.  He also was involved in various real estate projects. At work Chester was known  for his quick mind and uncanny ability to analyze and crunch numbers without the  benefit of a calculator, yet never took himself too seriously. He was a  generous, fun-loving person who traveled frequently and never lost his zest for  adventure or love of life. Regardless of any physical challenges he faced, he  was someone who never had a bad day, never complained and brought a positive  spirit to everyone he touched. Chester is survived by his wife of 13 years  Carol, his daughter Tracy, his daughter Debbie and her husband Pat Knight; his  son Brian and his wife Rachel; three stepchildren and 14 grandchildren. He was  predeceased by his first wife Janice. Funeral services will be held Sunday, Dec.  4, 2011 at 2:30 PM at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 2021 W. State Road 426,  Oviedo, FL 32765. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund to benefit hospice has  been set up. Please send donations to Just in Queso Foundation, 1051 Winderley  Place, Suite 202, Maitland, FL  32751.