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Wheeler J. North, professor of environmental science, emeritus, died on December 20, 2002, at the
age of 80. Born in San Francisco, North moved with his family soon afterward to San Diego, where
he began exploring tide pools at the age of seven. He also developed an early interest in kelp
beds, which would turn out to be his life’s work.
North received his first BS (in electrical engineering) from Caltech in 1944, then returned to
Pasadena after the war to earn a second one, in biology, in 1950. His MS and PhD are from the
University of California (1953).
After several years at Scripps Oceanographic Institution, he returned to Caltech in 1962, first as
visiting professor of biology, then as associate professor of environmental health engineering, and
finally as professor of environmental science.
Although he taught a popular marine biology course (among others) on the Pasadena campus,
North spent much of his time working out of Caltech’s Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory right here in
Corona del Mar. He took up resident here, studying the complex ecosystem of the giant kelp
(Macrocystis pyrifera) off the California coast. He determined that the kelp beds were shrinking as
sewage fed the sea urchin population, which in turn fed on the kelp. He also studied the effect of
humans on kelp, in particular the warm-water discharge from the San Onofre nuclear power plant,
which deterred kelp development; and oil spills, an environment in which kelp thrive. He devised
techniques for restoring and farming kelp forests.
North was one of the pioneers of scuba diving for scientific research, making his first dive in 1949.
He purchased one of the first ten Aqua-Lungs sold in the U.S. Wet suits at that time did not yet
exist, so North would put on woolen underwear for his dives.
At the time of his death, the Southern California Academy of Sciences established the Wheeler
North Award for Scientific Excellence:
“The recipient of the Wheeler North Award will have demonstrated commitment to
research that emphasizes the Southern California area and a commitment to the
Southern California scientific community.”
For absolutely fascinating information about Wheeler and his first person history of early China
Cove follow the link below and search for Corona del Mar.
http://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/34/00/OH_North_W.pdf
The above information about Wheeler North was submitted by Bud Rasner, a long-time CdM resident and neighbor of North's
in southwest area of Corona del Mar.
Previously Profiled Residents
Click here to read their profiles.
age of 80. Born in San Francisco, North moved with his family soon afterward to San Diego, where
he began exploring tide pools at the age of seven. He also developed an early interest in kelp
beds, which would turn out to be his life’s work.
North received his first BS (in electrical engineering) from Caltech in 1944, then returned to
Pasadena after the war to earn a second one, in biology, in 1950. His MS and PhD are from the
University of California (1953).
After several years at Scripps Oceanographic Institution, he returned to Caltech in 1962, first as
visiting professor of biology, then as associate professor of environmental health engineering, and
finally as professor of environmental science.
Although he taught a popular marine biology course (among others) on the Pasadena campus,
North spent much of his time working out of Caltech’s Kerckhoff Marine Laboratory right here in
Corona del Mar. He took up resident here, studying the complex ecosystem of the giant kelp
(Macrocystis pyrifera) off the California coast. He determined that the kelp beds were shrinking as
sewage fed the sea urchin population, which in turn fed on the kelp. He also studied the effect of
humans on kelp, in particular the warm-water discharge from the San Onofre nuclear power plant,
which deterred kelp development; and oil spills, an environment in which kelp thrive. He devised
techniques for restoring and farming kelp forests.
North was one of the pioneers of scuba diving for scientific research, making his first dive in 1949.
He purchased one of the first ten Aqua-Lungs sold in the U.S. Wet suits at that time did not yet
exist, so North would put on woolen underwear for his dives.
At the time of his death, the Southern California Academy of Sciences established the Wheeler
North Award for Scientific Excellence:
“The recipient of the Wheeler North Award will have demonstrated commitment to
research that emphasizes the Southern California area and a commitment to the
Southern California scientific community.”
For absolutely fascinating information about Wheeler and his first person history of early China
Cove follow the link below and search for Corona del Mar.
http://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/34/00/OH_North_W.pdf
The above information about Wheeler North was submitted by Bud Rasner, a long-time CdM resident and neighbor of North's
in southwest area of Corona del Mar.
Previously Profiled Residents
- Judge Robert Gardner
- Luvena Hayton
- Phil Sansone
- Mary Burton
- Isabel Pease
- Rex Brandt
Click here to read their profiles.
If you would like to submit the name of someone who should be considered for this feature, please send an email with your
outline and reasons for consideration to: Info@cdmra.org
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outline and reasons for consideration to: Info@cdmra.org
Return to CdMRA Website
