Robert Bright Obituary
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 9, 1935 to Donald and Reva Bright, Bob graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Following graduation Bob served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army before going on to spend more than 30 years with the 3M company, retiring in 1994 as Vice President, Manufacturing. Throughout his life he remained active with his alma mater, serving as a board member, and as interim president from 2005 through 2006.
Beyond his professional and academic achievements, Bob was an avid supporter of many charitable organizations, most notably the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As a lifetime golfer, Bob always found time to play a round with his friends and family, and served as 3M's representative in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am Tournament on several occasions.
Bob was a devoted family man who loved gathering with his extended family as often as possible. In 1958 he married the love of his life Shirley (nee Swinney) spending the next 67 years together until his death. Together they traveled the world, having countless adventures with each other and numerous close friends.
Preceding Bob in death are parents Donald and Reva Bright; sister Donna Reece and her husband Michael; and brother-in-law, Dan Cheak.
Remaining to cherish Bob's memory are wife, Shirley; sister Judith Cheak; brother-in-law Greg Swinney (Shirley); children Lynne Barry (John), Susan Bright, David Bright (Denise); grandchildren Nathan Barry (Martha), Shannon Dowd (Andrew); Richard Bright (Micheyl), Brian Barry (Rachel), Lauren Bright (Pryce), and Meghan Bright (Alex); seven adored great grandchildren; and beloved chosen family Kathee and Sydney Hoff.
Memorial service will be held May 3rd, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. from Bethany United Methodist Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Elizabeth Carpenter
May 2, 2025
Sending love and prayers to the Bright family. Sue showed me a whole bunch of photos of Bob and his family. Wow, what an amazing man who raised a lovely family with his sweetheart, Shirley. A life to aspire to and be proud of.
Bobby Loyd
February 7, 2025
God bless you and your family. Bob was one of a kind.
I meet Bob and worked with Bob on the Nike tournaments for a few years and then just became friends after that during the PGA tournaments at Lakeway for 7 or so years and he was always one of the most thoughtful
persons to be around that I have ever meet. A lot of years have passed. But I know I will never forget him. I know he will be missed by many.
RIP
Bobby Loyd
Richard and Cindy White
January 28, 2025
Dear Shirley and the Bright Family,
Cindy and I extend our sincerest condolences to you and your family. We hope you find comfort in the loving memories you have of Bob.
Our memories of Bob center on who he was as a friend. We first me when I joined his golf group in 2007. Bob was an accomplished golfer. He shared many of his golfing memories playing with family members, and playing at well-known golf tournaments at Pebble Beach. He hit many fairways off the tees, and many greens in regulation. He demonstrated amazing patience as other players in his group with less skill, hacked their way around the course.
Bob was involved in many charitable activities. He donated significantly to his college alma mater as a director. He was an active supporter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. He donated his time as a marshal at golf tournaments.
Bob was present when his friends needed help or support. Hospital visits, and phone calls were on Bob´s schedule.
Cindy and Rick White
Grateful Nation
January 26, 2025
Thank you for your military service
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Colleen Paynbe
January 26, 2025
Memories are so numerous with Bob's interactions, along with Shirley
at his side, of fun times and gatherings with the Payne's and the 'Rosebuddies', college buds.
To generalize Bob was a caring, generous, intelligent, insightful,
talented, humorous human being and a true leader. Not many of
these traits are collective in any one of us. Colleen
Ashley
January 25, 2025
At the start of my sophomore year, as soccer season began, I found myself heading to the ARA (as it was called back then) for lunch. I was hungry and the space was mostly empty as school hadn't started yet. An older gentleman approached me and asked if he could join me. I gladly said, "Please do."
We shared a wonderful lunch and had an engaging conversation. He asked me about my experience at the school and my plans for the future. In return, he shared stories about his time as a student and what the institution was like in years past. It was such a delightful and memorable exchange.
Toward the end of our conversation, I finally asked what had brought him back to RHIT that day. To my astonishment, he revealed that he was serving as the interim President. I was speechless-here I was, casually sharing lunch and conversation with the President of RHIT without even realizing it!
Looking back, it was such a special moment. How incredible that someone in his position took the time to connect with a student like me.
Now, as a faculty member at RHIT for over a decade, I´ve had the privilege of seeing Bob Bright at board meetings and other events. His positivity, humility, and genuine kindness left a lasting impression on me and countless others. He was an extraordinary individual who will be deeply missed.
Pat and Mike Hahn
January 25, 2025
Our deepest condolences to Shirley and the entire Bright family on the passing of our dear friend. Bob was a wonderful, decent, kind and humble man who let his accomplishments at 3M and in his charitable work be a testament to a wonderful man and to a life well lived. We will miss his warm smile, his great sense of humor and his sincere interest in the lives of a host of his friends. Pat and Mike Hahn
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