David Arthur Wright

David Arthur Wright

Sept. 25, 1949 - March 16, 2024

David Arthur Wright was born September 25, 1949, in Madison, WI, and left us suddenly due to cardiac arrest on March 16, 2024, in Sun City West, AZ. In between, he lived a life of achievement, learning, laughter, and love. He protected his country in his beloved Marine Corps and as a career public servant in the federal government, married, had children and grandchildren, and played six hundred million rounds of cards.

He was a loyal and devoted son and brother who, according to his mother Ellen, would rush home from school to help care for his 13 siblings. He loved nothing better than reconnecting with his family over the years, hosting visits from family and coming home for a Packer game or an Edgewood High School reunion, (Class of '67).

He graduated with a degree in Russian Studies from the University of Maryland, had an aptitude for languages and was fluent in multiple tongues, including Finnish, Japanese, Spanish, Russian, and Urdu,

He represented his country by serving in Japan, Finland, Mexico, Spain, Guatemala, Argentina, Germany, Russia, Pakistan, Venezuela, China, Sudan, Thailand, and countless other posts. He saw the devastating Mexico City earthquake, the financial meltdown of Buenos Aires, the rise of Pervez Musharraf, the death of Benazir Bhutto, and the temporary ouster of Hugo Chavez.

He was a wonderful father and grandfather, and a loyal and devoted husband to Linda, his wife of 55 years.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen; his father, Norm; and his sister, Judy. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Ann Pope Wright, to whom he wrote: "You are, and always have been, the one and only love of my life." He is also survived by his daughters: Patricia (Nicholas) Mayer, Virginia (Mark) Kennedy, Rebecca (Joshua) Miller; his grandchildren: Alexander and Christopher Mayer, Molly and Hannah Kennedy, James and Jacob Miller; and his siblings: Norman "Bill" (Liz) Wright, Nancy (Dave) Henderson, Mary "Punky" (Ken) Rasmussen, Richard "Dick" Wright, Patty (Larry) Rasmussen, Dan (Grace) Wright, Jennifer "Jen" (Jeff) Rothamer, Jim Wright, Janet (Jeff Albrecht) Johnson, Paul (Sue) Wright, Carol (Karl) Morgan, Kathy (Ron) Schwenn; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dave was deeply loved and will be missed.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM on May 17, 2024, at St. James Catholic Church (1128 St. James Court, Madison, WI) with a visitation from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Everyone is invited to a luncheon in the basement of the church following the Burial.