Robert B. Wright M.D.

Robert B. Wright, M.D. -MACON - Robert B. Wright, M.D., retired District Health Director for Middle Georgia, died Friday, February 28, 2003, in a local hospital. He was 79. -Dr. Wright, a native of Erie, PA, was a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA and Jefferson University Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. He interned at U. S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia and completed his residence in neurosurgery at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. As a Navy surgeon, he served with the U. S. Marine Corps in Korea. -After a number of years in the private practice of neurosurgery in Jamestown, NY, Dr. Wright returned to active duty in the Navy Reserve. His last duty station was Guam. For his service there during the relocation of Vietnamese refugees after the fall of Saigon in 1975, he received the Joint Services Commendation Medal. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain in 1976. -The following year, Dr. Wright joined the Georgia Department of Human Resources as Director of Public Health of District V, which includes Bibb, Houston and eleven other neighboring counties. In 1984, he received a Master's Degree in public health from Emory University in Atlanta. -He is survived by his wife, Isabel, and by seven children: William A. Wright, Baton Rouge, LA; Carol Deering, Clifton Park, NY; Joan Sherrer, Cupertino, CA; Lois Wright, Warner Robins, GA; John Wright, Broken Arrow, OK; Paul Wright, Richland, WA; Elizabeth Reynolds, Kingston, TN; and two stepchildren, Robert Schnizler, Lakewood, NY and Carolyn Wilt, Greensburg, PA. -Also surviving are eight grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, as well as a sister, Phyllis Loomis of Ashfield, MA, and a brother, William Wright of Altamonte Springs, FL. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Auty Wright, and a sister, Martha Henry of Brandon, MS. -Dr. Wright was a member of the Macon Amateur Radio Club. He was also a private pilot for many years and enjoyed golf, computers and woodcarving in his retirement. -A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m., March 16, in the Chapel at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church in Macon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society or the charity of the donor's choice. -Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements. Robert Wright