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Robert Harding Wright

Robert Wright Obituary

Robert Harding Wright 1926 ~ 2008 Robert Harding Wright died at the age of 81 on January 11, 2008. He leaves behind his beloved wife Denna of 40 years, daughters; Lisa, Andrea, Laurel, Charmian, and Heather along with 10 grandchildren and seven and one half great grandchildren. He served in the Navy during World War II and graduated from Northwestern University in Electrical Engineering. His love of the outdoors, his generosity, along with his passion for life inspired everyone he met. He absolutely lived life to the fullest! There will forever be a void in our lives. Memorial Services will be held Friday, January 18, 2008 at 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church (569 S. 1300 E. SLC, UT). Funeral Directors; Garner Funeral Home

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Jan. 15, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Wright

22 Entries

Marion McMichael

February 11, 2008

Dear Denna and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss,it is hard to find the right word's to comfort. A key measure of Bob's life was his remarkable capacity for friendship.Because Bob cared for people he will stay in the heart's of people he touched.Thank you Bob for teaching us how a great spirit lived a wonderful life.
Love Marion and Sam

Jim & Tresa Stitely

February 9, 2008

My husband and I were in the "Creating Your Own Theology" class at First Unitarian with Bob and had an opportunity to get to know him better. We enjoyed our conversations and will miss his wisdom. We hope his family has been able to find his Creed that he wrote. He so wanted very much to write a book to leave for his family. He had a very diversified and interesting life.

Merritt Doyle

January 30, 2008

We didn't know Bob other than by his wonderful reputation and the good friend he became to our daughter Juli Compton. We admired him from afar and wish we could have spent some time with him. He will be missed by everyone. Our prayers are with the family.

Merritt and Bette Doyle

Charlene McMenamy

January 24, 2008

Denna
Just learned of Bob's death. So sorry! Though I didn't know Bob well, I thoroughly enjoyed the bike rides and the camping at Death Valley. He added sparkle and lots of fun to the trips.
What great experiences the two of you shared! Remember those when the emptiness is at it's worse. I'll pray that God will give you new adventures to help fill the void.

Gregersen Family

January 18, 2008

Bob and Denna were some of the first people that I met after moving to Salt Lake in 1974. The "Wright" adventures that we've shared will always be remembered as the best of times; hanging from the Dome house on a climbing rope to resurface it, backpacking in Southern Utah, sailing in Utah and in the San Juan Islands, biking in Canada and across the U.S. I'll always remember Bob's laugh, his smile and most of all his challenges to really participate in life. Ok, Bob, yes, I know, it's always "Downhill with a Tailwind", no worries! With sympathy and love from our family to yours, Rich and Julie Gregersen

James Piani

January 17, 2008

I would like to thank Bob for all the years we have known each other.

Bob, keep an eye out for us while we are on the road.

Jim Piani

January 17, 2008

I would like to thank Bob for the many years we have known each other. Bob, keep an eye out for us while we are on the road.

Aaron Phillips

January 17, 2008

What a tremendous spirit and a powerful, inspirational character! Bob lived the 'just do it' motto long before Nike coined the logo. His was a life most of us don't have the courage to construct--he created opportunities instead of waiting for them.

I remember as a kid sliding down the fire pole at the dome home. Many years later, my dad and Bob and I did a bike ride in Moab. That day, I saw a new kind of endurance--Bob's special brand of going-all-day-and-smiling-all-the-while. Amazing.

This was a man whose inspiration stirs us to never let a day slip by without loving life, and the adventures it brings, down to the marrow.

January 17, 2008

Dear Denna -- I am so sorry for your
great loss. Bob was a wonderful man
who lived life to the fullest. I
always admired his youthful energy
and positive outlook on life. I am
happy for you that you had so many
wonderful years together!
Cassie Badowsky

Stephanie Woody

January 17, 2008

Quite frankly I though Mr. Wright would live on forever. He shall in his own ways of contribution to humankind. I always admired Mr. Wright. I met him when I was but a mere teen when I was taught to refer to people as Mr. or Mrs. He probably wouldn't have minded me calling him Bob. My parents have great memories of Mr. Wright as well.

Frank Mitchell

January 16, 2008

In 1984, when I first met Bob, he was the same age as I am now. In those twenty three years, Bob had so many good, interesting experiences. Some were strongly painful, but the experiences he created for himself, and always to share with others, were adventures! His enjoyment of life is truly inspirational. If I have even half so many “Bob events” in my remaining years, I will consider my life a well-lived one.
I will celebrate Bob’s life by trying to follow his lead, (just like when we were hiking together).

I’ll miss you Bob.

Frank Mitchell

Ceil Carino

January 16, 2008

I can't remember how long I have known Bob & Dena through many trips to mention a few, RABRAI, Yellowstone at Lake Henry,Bear Lake yearly birthday ride, Sea to Sea ride, all of which were , to Bob, down hill with a tail wind, diving in the caymen Islands in 95, x-country skiing on New Years eve, hiking. He did it all w/ all of us trying to keep up with him. Bob was my mentor. He will be missed and will be with all of us in spirit forever. My heart goes out to Dena and family.

Jim and Tresa Stitley

January 15, 2008

We were fortunate to know Bob from church. We enjoyed our friendship and sharing ideas in a class we took together. Our deepest sympathies in your loss.

sUE mChUGH

January 15, 2008

wE'VELOST A GOODFRIEND WHO HAS ENRICHED THE LIF OF SO MANY THROUGH HIS GIFT OF TIME ENERGY AND THOUGHTFUL ENCOURAGEMENT.. hE WILL BE IN MY MEMORIES FOREVER FOR HGUIDING ME IN THE greT Canada to Mexico bike Ride of 1996 thru 2000.
Thank you,Bob, for making that adventure possible to someone who would never imagined how wonderful such a bike ride could be.I treasure ALL MY MEMORIES OF THAT 3YEAR ADVENTUR AND THE FRIENDSHIPS GAINED IN THE EXPERIANCE.yOU WWERE A GREAT, COOL TRIP lEADER.ANDYOU'LL BE MISSED FOR ALL THE energy uou brought to everything you did!!Thank you for your contribution to my LIFE!zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzSueCH

Kelli Bellon

January 15, 2008

When I first crossed paths with Bob (and Dena) in Park City about ten years ago, I thought they were the coolest and most interesting “older” people I had met in a long, long time. That still holds true today.
I had the privilege of becoming their official house sitter when they were out adventuring. For my daughter and I “the Wright Place” was like a little slice of heaven.
Later when they sold the house and moved to So. Cal. to do service work, their dog Zoey came to live with me and became my hiking and snowshoeing companion.
I knew Bob as a man who lived in an amazing Frank Lloyd Wright house, who could build a geo-dome home from scratch, who started a company called Off The Grid and who contributed greatly to Habitat For Humanity. To me he was first and foremost a genius and a humanitarian and then an athlete. It seemed he could do anything.
Bob inspired an interest in sustainable architecture and alternative energy in me. But even more than that, he modelled a way to live fully and with regard for the collective good. He inspired my desire to learn and to grow as a human being, for which I am forever grateful.
I am so sorry that he is no longer with us in body, but he will always be with me in memory and if it is love that keeps us all connected then I think that Bob will always be around.

Juli Compton

January 15, 2008

I considered Bob to be one of my "dads" and his family as mine. After knowing him for 17 years, I will miss him so as a friend and Godparent to my daughter Trinity. He was so passionate, adventourous, loving, non-judgemental and easy-going. He touched so many lives including mine in such a unique way. May God have blessed him as he passed on.
Thanks Bob for your blessings to us!

What a handsome guy!

January 15, 2008

2007 Salt Lake City Marathon

Ariana Prazen

January 15, 2008

My grandpa, Roob, has always been one of my role models. I admired his outlook on life, his dedication to his family, his appreciation for the beauty in nature and his drive to stay healthy. Roob embraced so many people into our family. Along with my other grandparents, he created a family built on love and support, acceptance and optimism. He taught us nothing was out of reach if we wanted it bad enough. He touched many lives and I truly believe he will be a spiritual guardian to all those who cared about him. I love you, Roobio!

Nicola Auchampach

January 15, 2008

Bob was truly an inspirational man who had an incredibly full life. We are so sorry for your loss and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Eddie Moulton

January 15, 2008

Bob was a great friend and I will always remember our times together.

Colleen Doherty

January 15, 2008

Charm,

My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family during this time of great loss. May you find comfort knowing that your Father will always be watching over you from above.

Beth Haynes

January 15, 2008

I am so sorry for your loss. I am a friend of Heather's (one of his daughter's) and only met him a couple of times. But he was an inspiration to all of us! I hope that I have HALF of his energy, passion, and love of life when I am 81! I know he will be dearly missed. Your entire family is in our prayers.

Beth Haynes

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