Robert Theodore Wright, 85, Feb. 10, 1928-May 11, 2013

Obituary courtesy of Hultgren Funeral Home:

Robert Theodore Wright, age 85, a resident of the Wheaton area, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 11, at the DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton. He was born February 10,1928 to Joshua and Mable Wright in Oceanside, California. Bob had one sister, Mary Bartlett.

Bob accepted Christ as a boy of nine years of age. He was regularly encouraged by a Sunday School teacher, who wrote him yearly on his birthday until her death. Because of the hardship of his childhood life, Bob turned to reading and books became his best friend. His mother often lived close to the library and Bob spent many hours in the library reading books. Reading was his primary hobby, even into adulthood. He especially liked reading history and theology. Abraham Lincoln was a hero to him and he read lots of books about him. He also read many theological books by authors as Calvin, Luther and Spurgeon's sermons.

Bob loved classical music. The first time he heard a classical piece was in school in first grade. He was touched emotionally and cried. He enjoyed cooking, often creating new recipes, and he enjoyed hiking on Toro Mt. with other men.

After finishing Oceanside High School in 1945 he entered the Marines on September 13, 1945. He served as a Sergeant with a specialty as a Machine gun crewman. He spent time in Japan and China during his tour of duty. When he went into the military his Sunday School teacher recommended he memorize Psalm 91 as his life chapter. It was always a favorite Scripture of his. Other favorites memorized were Romans 5:1 -5, Isaiah 41 :10, and Hebrews 13:20,21. He was discharged from the Marines on September 12, 1949. After military service he attended Woodbury College in Los Angeles where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in higher Accountancy in August of 1952. He also completed courses in Escrow Practice and Procedure in 1959, Real Estate Appraisal in 1963, and received a Real Estate license in June of 1972 in Santa Barbara.

His employment included working for Ralph C. Sutro Co. mortgage bankers where he worked eleven years in the Loan Production Department with the accent on analysis, research and appraisal. His boss described him as sensitive to the needs of others and those working with him and as having a middle name of "thorough". He was described as "energetic, enthusiastic and cooperative and displaying a high level of original thinking." He proved to have a remarkable talent for statistical and analytical work and his work was highly accurate, according to William Brown, Senior Vice President. For a time he worked for Seven-up Bottling Co. of Santa Barbara where he worked as Office Manager. He trained personnel to a point where he nearly eliminated the need for an office manager.

He was said to have had high standards in the area of character and honesty by his boss. The President also said he "has a very clear, incisive mind. He is able to analyze a situation, set forth the important from the non-important, and quickly set a situation right." He was impressed with his ability to "administrate, analyze, and execute tasks that were assigned." He participated in the Wilshire Center Chamber of Commerce from 1965 to 1969, working on two committees, the Transportation and Parking and Zoning committees. On June 11 , 1977

Bob married Gwendolyn James, who he had met through Child Evangelism Fellowship. Gwen was Supervisor of the Salinas Valley Child Evangelism in Monterey County. He often was found cleaning up at the end CEF meetings and banquets. Bob worked for the McClellan Accounting Firm in Salinas, but because he had the spiritual gift of helps, he especially found joy in giving financial help to widows, churches, and the County and State Child Evangelism Fellowships. Other helps he offered were ushering at the First Baptist Church in Salinas, a cabin counselor at Child Evangelism Camps, Children's church helper, and befriending disadvantaged Good News club children with Gwen who were often in his home.

Bob began symptoms of Parkinson's in the late 80's and was diagnosed in 1991 and he soon had to retire.

Memorial services will be conducted on Monday, May 20, at 7:00 p.m. at Grace Church of DuPage, 27 W 344 Galusha Road, Warrenville with Pastor Daryle Worley officiating. Interment will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc., P.O. Box 348, Warrenton, MO 63383.