Robert Bright

1937 - 2021

Bright, Robert Dean

MADISON - Robert Dean Bright, O.P., age 83, of Madison, Wis., died of liver cancer on May 19, 2021. Bob was born in Chicago on Dec. 4, 1937, to Albert and Lillian (Floeter) Bright. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1956. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., where he met the love of his life, Mary Kay Murphy. They married in Wichita, Kan., on Aug. 11, 1962.

Bob continued his education at St. Louis University and completed his master's degree at Boston College. In 1965 the Brights moved to Madison, where Bob began work at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. What was supposed to be a one-year stint in Madison turned into a 56-year stay in the area.

Bob spent over 30 years teaching for the University of Wisconsin Extension, principally in the Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development Program. He was a faculty member for the Center for Action on Poverty, the Center for Community Leadership Development and the Community Dynamic Institute. He also became director of the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth and served as acting director in the Chancellor's Office of Affirmative Action.

His work took him to Native American reservations, migrant camps, prisons and many non-governmental organizations and municipalities across the state. He worked to build a relationship with each of the 10 Native American reservations in Wisconsin to assist them in determining the social change objectives of each specific tribe. During his time at the Center for Action on Poverty, the main philosophy was working on behalf of the least, last and lost. In the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth, encouragement and support were given to disenfranchised students so they could earn high school diplomas.

Bob co-conducted over 60 retreats for villages and cities around the state, working to revitalize their main streets. He also worked in several states for President Bush's (41) and President Clinton's National Rural Economic Development Institute. International projects took him to China, the Philippines, Brazil and repeated trips to Thailand.

Bob was honored and received numerous awards for his leadership and mentoring roles in the field of community development. Upon retirement he received the distinction of Professor Emeritus.

His children were the center of Bob's life. He relished family time and all the activities involved with four children. He especially cherished the one-on-one time with his children and later with his grandchildren. He instilled in all of them a love of travel and exploring new opportunities. He delighted in celebrations of birthdays, holidays and milestones, both following traditions and creating new ones.

Activism and volunteering over many years stemmed from Bob's religious convictions and interest in peace and social justice. In the early 1970s he was chair of the United Migrant Opportunity Services of Wisconsin. With the help of fellow parishioners at St. Thomas Aquinas, 30 migrant families living in Texas were able to settle in Madison and found steady employment and education opportunities. While living in the Village of Oregon for 25 years, Bob helped establish the Oregon/Brooklyn Food Pantry which continues to operate with volunteers from the four local churches. He was instrumental in organizing the first Dane County branch of Habitat for Humanity.

After retiring Bob treasured more time available for volunteering, including a new storage unit project for St. Vincent De Paul and a new program at St. Mary's Hospital called No One Dies Alone. He joined the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters as an associate and also joined the Lay Dominican Order of Preachers (O.P.). The Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahmic Religions brought Bob joy through visiting with Christians, Jews, and Muslims in each other's homes.

Bob's love for adventure and travel began at a very early age when he explored Chicago by himself using public transportation. For two summers after high school he sailed the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway as a bartender on the SS North American cruise ship. The Brights traveled widely, showing their children the scenic and historic highlights of our country. Then in mid-life Bob and Mary Kay discovered the fun of planning their own itineraries to other countries and touring on their own. These trips were always adventurous and provided unbelievable stories for family and friends. Favorites included seeing Europe by Eurail, traveling the length of Chile by bus and doing a self-drive safari in West Africa. Besides traveling, reading and gardening were lifelong favorite pastimes.

Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Kay; their children, Laura, Michael, Lisa (Mike Unger), and Jenny; and grandchildren, Kaela, Joshua, Sam Bright, Nicole and Natalie Unger. He is also survived by a brother, Bill (Susie); and a sister, Lois Johnson.

Bob lived a happy, full and productive life with family, friends and faith always at the center of his thoughts and actions. His lifelong dedication to peace and social justice issues touched many lives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at BLESSED SACRAMENT ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2121 Rowley Ave., Madison, on Monday, May 24 at 11 a.m. with a visitation at 10 a.m. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery will take place immediately after the Mass.

Memorials may be given to Murphy Bright Scholarship Fund (for students of color), in care of Benedictine College, 1020 N. Second St., Atchison, KS 66002 or contributions may be sent to St. Vincent De Paul, 2033 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53713.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

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