Richard N. "Dick" Wright
Age 87, passed away May 31, 2014. He was born May 31, 1927, in Mt. Pleasant, to Lester and Perthena Wright. Richard graduated from Roosevelt High School in Ypsilanti, and attended Eastern Michigan University before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan Technological University. He retired in 1990 from the State of Michigan where he worked as a mechanical engineer. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Navy, and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, where he was very involved, including serving as a moderator and serving on the board of trustees. His other community involvement included: Commander’s Club of Michigan, Life member of ASHRAE, past chairman of the board at Woldumar Nature Center, past president of GLAHA and Hospice of Lansing volunteer.
Surviving are: his wife, Donna; 6 children, Richard (Bernice) Wright, Jr, Tedford (Sue) Wright, Terry (Ann) Lynan, Tim (Jeannie) Lynan, Carolyn Matson, and Janet (Bob) Lee; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Phyllis Beland. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 wives, Dorothy and Jo Ann; and sister, Elaine Reed.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at Bethel Baptist Church, 810 Edgemont Blvd., Lansing, with The Rev. Dr. James Robinson officiating. The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, or Hospice of Lansing, Inc. in memory of Richard Wright.
15 Messages to “Richard N. "Dick" Wright”
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William Reed
June 1, 2014 at 5:39 pmAnother sailor crossed the bar. Fair winds and following seas!
Scott Pellerito
June 1, 2014 at 6:46 pmFair Seas and Following Winds my friend.
Mark and Linda Lawrence
June 1, 2014 at 8:07 pmHeaven now has another Angel. You will be missed, but forever loved. May you shine your love down on Aunt Donna to help her get through the loss. Every time I drive by your home, I will always think of you and how kind you always were to me. May you Rest In Peace Uncle Dick.
Anonymous
June 1, 2014 at 8:55 pmI know that Dick is in a better place now even though he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Dick had a fantastic memory to so many things that he was the historian for the Commanders Club of Michigan. He served in the Commanders Club for well over thirty years and served as the Commander-in-Chief in 1982. He could tell you the story of how the Commanders Club was started in 1962 with Governor John B. Swainson as Chairman. Then he would name the different people that sat around the room in that founding meeting. Dick would talk about that meeting like it had just happened the day before. I will miss him greatly.
Jim Osieczonek
June 1, 2014 at 10:15 pmMy heart goes out to Dick’s family. He was a great man, very caring, and fun to be with. His generosity was especially apparent at Woldumar Nature Center where I met Dick. He spent thousands of hours volunteering and moving the nature center forward. Many of the projects would not have happen if it were not for him. He will be missed, but always remembered.
Mark Williams
June 1, 2014 at 10:39 pmFair winds and following seas shipmate. Will carry on your behalf.
Respectfully,
Your fellow shipmate and brother Commander.
Dawn S. Fleming, Woldumar Nature Association Board Member
June 2, 2014 at 10:04 amDick was a wonderful asset and dedicated supporter of Woldumar Nature Center. We appreciate everything he did, and we will remember him always.
john dykstra
June 2, 2014 at 10:33 amRest in peace Dick.
Everybody loved and respected you so much
John Dykstra, Michigan Commanders Club
Brian W. Wensauer
June 2, 2014 at 1:11 pmCommander Dick Wright will never be forgotten, and he leaves a legacy that reminds us all of the selfless service he gave to his fellow shipmates. Rest in peace.
Arthur & Inge Kyler
June 2, 2014 at 2:18 pmDick will be remembered as a great supporter of Woldumar Nature Center.
We will miss no longer seeing him. He always had a smile and a cheerful greeting.
Robert R Davis
June 2, 2014 at 2:21 pmDick Wright, a kind and gentle man of great wisdom. Someone whom I had many conversations about family, people, places, events and the Michigan Commanders Club – his friendship will be so missed.
Steve Boehm
June 2, 2014 at 4:26 pmI feel very lucky to have know Dick. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Hal Old
June 2, 2014 at 10:42 pmDick will be greatly missed by all who knew him in his many different roles in the Lansing area. He was one of the first Commanders I met many years ago and I always could turn to Dick to answer any question I might have on the years of the Commanders Club before I became a member. I always enjoyed his stories about when he served in WWII in the Navy as a young enlisted man in the Pacific. We have lost another one of the greatest generation with Dick’s passing. So shipmate, I wish you fair winds and following seas for one last time.
Andrew Motowski
June 3, 2014 at 10:27 pmIt was an honor to have known a man like Richard. You were so friendly and welcomed me like family as I was your window cleaner at your home over the years. I thought of you and Donna very much over the past year and I am comforted that you are with Christ in true heavenly places. You fought the fight, you finished the race, and now your crown from Christ awaits. Donna, I am so sorry for your loss. You and Richard were such a blessing to me. I know you will see Richard again…soon. God comfort you, and thank you so much for your friendship.
David Benjamin
June 4, 2014 at 9:00 pmDick was an encouraging positive man. He had a great sense of humor and was family not only through my wife’s father, but personally like a favorite Uncle. The times he told about his service during WW2 and his career with the State. He always kept me up on what was happening with his children. I will surely miss him.