SARASOTA, Florida - Dr. Ruel Wright, 74, a former Bloomington, cardiovascular surgeon, passed away on January 28, 2023, in Sarasota, FL. He was born in Beaumont, TX, on June 28, 1948, to Ruel N. Wright Jr. and Mary Lewis Wright. He grew up in Dearborn, MI.

He is survived by his wife Judy, of Bradenton, Florida; daughter, Karen Dziedzic (Shawn) of Chicago, IL; two beautiful granddaughters: Paige and Audrey; son, Michael Wright (Loraine) of Albuquerque, NM; his sister, Barbara Basinger (Michael) of Laramie, Wyoming; his brother, Jeffrey Wright of Green Valley, AZ; his brother, Thomas Wright (Jennifer) of Cincinnati, OH; nieces: Esme and Phoebe Wright; and nephews: Eric, Will and Alex; and two dear sisters-in-law: Carol and Linda Billings.

Dr. Wright graduated from Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn in 1966. He graduated from The University of Chicago in 1970, and from The University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor in 1974. He completed his residency and fellowship in surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago. Dr. Wright first practiced in Little Rock, AR, from 1982-1991, before joining Illinois Cardiac Surgery in Bloomington, IL, in 1991. He established Illinois Cardiovascular Surgery in Bloomington in 2003, and continued this practice until his retirement in 2009. He came out of retirement in 2014, to join The Vein Specialists until 2020. Dr. Wright was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American College of Cardiology, and the American College of Phlebology.

Dr. Wright enjoyed time with family and friends, golfing, traveling, reading and following his granddaughters in their sports.

Cremation rites will be accorded. Please share your memories and condolences at www.ToaleBrothers.com (Toale Brothers Funeral Home in Sarasota, FL). There will be no visitation.

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Pantagraph on Feb. 5, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruel Wright

40 Entries

Peggy Ann Mulcahy

January 30, 2025

Ruel was indeed a talented surgeon.
I learned a lot from him about patient care, and am grateful to have had the opportunity.
I´m retired in Green Valley, AZ with memories of being a part of the best open heart team, led by Ruel, there ever was.

Peggy Ann Mulcahy

October 8, 2024

I worked with Ruel for 10 years in Bloomington and enjoyed every minute .

Sharon Vanover

February 9, 2024

Dear Judy,
I was so very sorry to hear about Ruel´s passing. I know it has been many years since Little Rock, but you both were never forgotten. My deepest condolences to you and your family,
Sharon Vanover

Mary Jo (Drews) Boone

January 30, 2024

I pray the days are getting easier for your family in regards to the loss of husband and father and I pray the good memories are frequent and hearts are healing.

Linda and Bob Braastad

January 30, 2024

He was the most caring friend to our family. He´s in our hearts forever. Thinking about you Judy at this difficult time

Bin Feng

March 25, 2023

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Dr Wright´s sudden passing. My condolences to the Wright family.
Having worked internationally for multiple medical facilities I have been privileged to witness many excellent surgeons; of them, Dr Wright was one of the few gifted ones I had witnessed. It was enjoyable to watch Dr Wright operating and making sound clinical judgments. In challenging clinical situations his natural aplomb marked him out as a natural virtuoso.

Dr Wright will be missed and remembered even though he didn´t enjoy my jokes that much.

Bin Feng
Colleague.

Jean and Dave Stumpf

February 25, 2023

Dear Judy,
We are so very sorry to learn of your enormous loss.
We are thinking of you with comfort and warmth. May your many memories sustain you at this difficult time.
With sincere compassion,

Amy France

February 23, 2023

Dear Judy and Family,
Jamie and I are so sad to learn of Ruel's passing. I will forever remember his intelligence, dry sense of humor and surgical skill. You and Ruel were so kind and generous to me and my family during our first years in Bloomington. Emily and Nick have fond memories of Ruel letting them watch movies in his office during school snow days.

Richard L. Click

February 13, 2023

Dr. Wright saved my life i 1994. He was not only a professional but a doctor with a sense of humor and patience. He will be missed.

Rosemary Komar

February 9, 2023

Judy thoughts and prayers to you and family. I always enjoyed working with Ruel through good days, long days and nights and some bad ones as well. So sorry to hear of his passing. Much love.
Rosie Komar

Ken and Cyndi Natzke

February 8, 2023

Judy, our condolences to you and family on the passing of Ruel. He was such a gift to our medical community! I particularly valued his calm demeanor and counsel. I also enjoyed our occasional golf matches with John Frisch and Larry Nord. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great sorrow. Peace through prayer.
Ken and Cyndi Natzke

The John Perkins family

February 8, 2023

Dr. Wright was one of the best. A kind but honest bedside manner. Talented surgeon.our community was blessed to have him.
Our condolences to his loved ones.

Shannon Kernosky

February 7, 2023

Judy-
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. We were so blessed to of had Dr. Wright join us at the Vein Specialists. He was a joy to work with.
Shannon Kernosky and The Kernosky Family

Donna Salazar

February 7, 2023

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Judy we are here for you if you need us.
We love you, Johnny and Donna Salazar

Terri Ryburn

February 7, 2023

I'm so sorry to learn of Ruel's death. He was such a kind man who always seemed so upbeat and happy. As a surgeon, he saved so many lives and was greatly respected. Thinking of you and sending my love.

Janet Mohrman

February 6, 2023

To Dr. Wright´s family: I recently retired from OSF. I remember Dr.Wright being very personable, patient and having a good sense of humor. He treated everyone with respect, no matter where they worked. OSF lost a great surgeon!

Mary Jo Drews

February 6, 2023

To Mrs Wright and family,
Just to let you know I had the honor to work with Dr Wright 1995-retirement 09 St Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington , Illinois. PICU/ICU He always showed much professionalism when he rounded and always had kind words to his patients and the staff. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his death. RIP Dr Wright You were loved.

Shelleigh Birlingmair

February 6, 2023

Judy - We are so sorry to hear of Ruel's passing. He was a very kind and caring man. Our wish for you and your family is that the memories you made with Ruel carry you through these difficult times, and bring a smile to your heart in the future. Prayers of healing.
Shelleigh and Kevin Birlingmair

Eric Sweetwood

February 6, 2023

Dr, Wright saved my life twice. I owe this man so much. My most sincere condolences to his family on his passing. He was a gifted surgeon and an equally kind man.

Monica and Kirk Noraian

February 6, 2023

Dear Mrs. Wright, we are so sorry for your loss. May the Lord illuminate his soul. His skilled hands gave us another 15 years with our dad. May he rest in peace.

Jan Weaver RN

February 6, 2023

No surgeon ever had as much respect than Ruel. He was loved by so many! I feel very lucky to have worked with such a talented man. Prayers for Judy and his family!

Dr Larry & Connie Nord

February 5, 2023

Judy~words cannot express how much we valued Ruel as a very dear friend. Phenomenal surgeon and extraordinary man. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Dennis Brtva

February 5, 2023

Judy...Jodi & I so sorry to hear of your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family during this time of sorrow!

Dennis & Cindee Erkmann

February 5, 2023

Judy & family, so sorry for your loss you are in our thoughts & prayers. Ruel touched many lives and made better.

JUDITH MURRAY

February 5, 2023

Dr Judy Wright, I'm so very sorry for your loss. The entire Murray family will be praying for you and your family.

John and Linda Krueger

February 5, 2023

Judy and family, our condolences on your loss. Ruel will be remembered for improving the quality of cardiac care and surgery in McLean County. He was respected by patients and colleagues alike. Please know we are all mourning his loss and remembering his professionalism.

Mary Hendren

February 5, 2023

Judy,
I´m so sorry to hear of Dr. Wright´s passing. He was an amazing doctor and helped many patients. I enjoyed my time working with him. He will be greatly missed. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May you find peace during your time of healing.

Bob and Linda Braastad

February 5, 2023

He was a amazing Dr. In our community and friend to so many. Judy and family we are thinking and praying for you. Love you

Heather Hughes

February 5, 2023

Judy, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Dr. Wright saved so many lives over the years and his surgical work was something we were all very proud of. I feel fortunate to have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know both you and Ruel. I pray God will navigate you through this loss and gives you the strength and peace you need. I'm so sorry.

Dean Henry

February 5, 2023

Judy
Very sorry for your loss. I´m very thankful for him, he preformed quadruple bypass on me 25 years ago and I have been fine since.

Angi Peterson

February 5, 2023

Judy,
I'm so sorry to hear of Dr. Wright's passing. He was such a great person. My heart is hurting for you and your family. May he rest in peace. Prayers be with you all.

Ann Harding

February 5, 2023

I was so sad to learn of Ruel´s passing. I knew him as a member of Sunrise Rotary. I remember standing in the buffet line for breakfast and the person ahead of him put a pile of bacon on their plate. Ruel said, "see you soon"! He had a dry sense of humor that I loved and absolutely no ego. I hope his family realizes how well liked he was in the Bloomington Normal community.

Karen Gansch

February 5, 2023

Judy, I am so very sorry for your loss. I feel very fortunate to have worked for Ruel. Sending prayers and hugs your way, hoping that you find peace.

Margo Boline

February 5, 2023

Our sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Dr. Wright was a very kind and superior surgeon who saved my life.
I was able to convey my thanks to him personally after my surgery in 2009.
We are praying for you and your family at this very difficult time.
Mr. & Mrs. Leon Boline

Lori Schade

February 5, 2023

Dr Wright saved my dad's life by doing 2 surgeries on him years ago...no one thought he would survive the lung surgery but Dr Wright came through! RIP to a great man...

Joe Newcomer

February 5, 2023

Judy,
We so sorry and saddened to hear of your loss. Ruel was a pillar in our medical community for decades and through his work, thousands of lives were saved and/or improved. I pray you´ll find solace in the countless memories you shared with Ruel among both friends and family.
Joe and Stephanie Newcomer
Friends and Colleague

Virginia Halsey

February 5, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Wright saved my husband more than once!i am eternally grateful for his skills, kindness and caring! May he RIP

Mary Jane

February 5, 2023

Judy,
My deepest sympathy to you and family! May he rest in the peace and mercy of the Lord!
I pray that you too will find peace remembering all your good times and even the hard times.
Been thinking alot about you and the challenges we encountered participating in the TPA trial at St. Joe's, wayyyy back when.

Peace, Mary Jane Hayes

Kathy Sheridan-Sieg

February 5, 2023

Judy, I am so very sorry to hear of Ruel's passing. Please know that I am holding you close in my thoughts and hoping you are doing okay.
Hugs,
Kathy

Thomas Ocheltree

February 5, 2023

Dear Judy
We are so sorry to hear of Ruel´s passing. We share your grief and you and your family are in our prayers.
Sue and Tom Ocheltree

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