"Dear Wright family: I'm sorry to hear about your dad's passing. I saw him on a visit to St. Charles last October and enjoyed talking to him, for what turned out to be the last time. Unfortunately, the distance prevented me from attending the funeral, but both your parents, as well as all of you, are in my thoughts and prayers. Tom Brownell"
In loving memory of
Robert C. Wright
May 27, 1925 - March 27, 2007
DR. ROBERT CULVER WRIGHT, DDS
Bob, born on May 27, 1925 in Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2007 at Seasons Hospice, Rochester.
Bob volunteered for the U.S. Army immediately after graduating from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Class of 1943. In December 1943, he shipped out as part of the US Army 31st Dixie Division. Bob a mortar man in a rifle division battled the Japanese on 3 islands in the East Indies. He earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He returned to Thief River Falls December 24, 1945.
He was a 1950 graduate from the UofMN School of Pharmacy. He managed the J&B Drug and was head Pharmacist in Thief River Falls. He married Regis Erickson in 1953 in her hometown of Fairmont.
In 1956 Bob enrolled in the UofMN Dental School. Bob practiced dentistry from 1961 -1990 in St. Charles, MN.
He was an active member of the St. Charles school board, Lions Club and Scoutmaster of Troop 54. He was member of the Minnesota Dental Association, and the Southeastern MN Dental Society.
From 1993-2003 he taught pharmacology and was a supervising dentist in the Rochester Community & Technical College Dental Hygiene program.
Bob resided at the St. Charles Assisted Living Center for 6 months prior to a short stay at Seasons Hospice in Rochester.
Bob is survived by his five children: Thomas and wife Pamela Wright of Orono, Barbara Wright-Quarton of Rochester, Gregory and wife Karen Wright of Eden Prairie, Scott and wife Pamela Wright of Vadnais Heights, Lori and husband Eric Severson of Watertown, MN; grandchildren: Benjamin, Jillian, Chloe, Joseph, Carolyn, Rachel, Catherine, David, Elizabeth, Samuel, Ellen, Ann, Natalie and Gabrielle; Brother: Willis and wife Mary; Mother-in-law: Angela Erickson; Brothers-in-law: Earl and wife Ina, Richard and wife Carol. He was preceded in death by his wife Regis.
Memorial service: Sat., March 31, 2007, 1:00 PM at Hoff Funeral Home, St. Charles with the Rev. James Callahan officiating. Friends may call from 5-8 PM Friday and noon until services Saturday at the funeral home. Please share your memory of Bob in the on-line guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Rochester Seasons Hospice, the St. Charles High School Scholarship Fund, or the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Family Assistance Center.
Tributes
"Dear Wright Family, I have been thinking about both Bob and Regis all week, and I have been smiling with all my memories. They were such a big part of my growing up in St. Charles: 4th of July fireworks, wonderfully told stories, dentist visits, hooked rugs, and lots of humor. One of my favorite memories of Bob is when he came to visit my dad the week before my dad died. He sat with my dad and once again, told the delightful story of how the Wrights came to St. Charles. you are all in my thoughts and prayers, Mary Brownell Andrew"
"Dear Wright Family: I was very sad to learn of your fatherâ??s passing. But the thought of Dr. Wright also brought a smile to my face. Bob had a truly wonderful sense of humor, and could always make me laughâ??which was a problem, if I had dental instruments in my mouth. I know many people who say they dread going to the dentist. But I have never quite understood that attitude. I guess thatâ??s because I grew up with Dr. Wright as my dentist. I will miss Bob and Regis very much. Regis was my first piano teacher and got me started playing pianoâ??something I continue to this day. Funny thingâ??my parents actually had to increase my allowance in order to get me to take piano lessons. But the bribe turned out to be unnecessary. Regis put me at ease and helped instill in me a love for music. Your parents were special to me. A part of Dr. Wright is in my smile, and a part of Regis plays along with me on the piano. Chris Brownell"
"Sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I was in Florida at the time and did not return in time for the wake or burial. My fondest memories of Bob is working to put the "first" St. Charles pool into service. I could see how tickled Bob was to make the first dive off the diving board. My prayers are with each of you as you adjust to the new family norm without your father. Best, Jim"
"Dear Wright family: I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. As our families grew up together, I always enjoyed his wit and admired his decency. In later years when I visited your mom as her health was declining, I especially enjoyed hearing your dad recount his war experiences. I will miss both Bob and Regis and feel fortunate for having known them."
"There are so many memories and countless ways your dad has had a positive influence on my life. There are literally years where if I wasnâ??t home I was â??up to Wrightsâ??. Your dad will be missed by so many. I remember his incredible patience as Cub Scout leader when we (mainly Greg I think) submitted a campout menu of primarily jelly beans and licorice. He introduced me to a lifelong hobby with his love of antiques and his eagerness to share his knowledge as he included me in his trips to auctions and sales. One time Greg and I were in the back of the Bronco II talking when I overheard Doc turn to Regis and mention me using â??ainâ??tâ?? in a sentence. It was important to me to do things right around himâ?¦.I respected him that much. I donâ??t think I have ever used the word since but I have corrected countless over the years. Always in attendance at our sporting events and always supportive no matter the outcome. Your dad is gone but he lives on in many ways through us. God bless and may you recall many great memories."
"Thanks for everything, Dad. We'll never forget. We'll love you forever. Tom, Ben, Rachel, David and Pam"
"Lori, Barb and your family- My sincere condolences on the loss of your father. I know Regis was there to welcome him into heaven."
"Dear brothers and sisters, it is very sad for me not to be able to attend services and be with you all. I thank the Lord I had the opportunity to spend the best experience of my life as an AFS student with you all. No other experience will ever be the same, I could have not been given better host parents than mom and dad, from whom I had the opportunity to learn remarkable things. I was also lucky to share a year with the best brothers and sisters that have been in my heart ever since I left St. Charles back in 1978. May the Lord bring peace to each and everyone of you. I will be with you in spirit and a I will light a candle so that it recalls all the love, support and care Dad gave to each of you. May God bless you all. My thoughts are with you. Love you all, Hugs and kisses."
"We are so sorry to read of the passing of "Dr. No Pain", as Gary always called him. He was such a nice man and and a very good dentist. I remember that your Mom was my religion teacher and we came to your house and had our class around the table. Your Dad was always in the next room so we knew we'd best behave! He was a kind and gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor. Our sincere sympathy to his family."
"Bob loved life. He loved his parents and his brother Will. He loved his kids, their spouses and grandkids. He loved his job, his patients and co-workers. But most of all he loved how we are all inter-connected. Dad was a happy man. A story-teller that loved life and was easy to love.We will miss your stories. And do our best to keep them going..."
"I knew Bob well. His brother, Will, was a classmate of mine in TRF, so I spent quite a bit of time at their home, especially when they lived downtown over the store. Bob was lots of fun but always a gentleman. He and my brother, Ken, encountered each other in the South Pacifc during the war, at the time of the Japanese surrender. My sympathy goes out to Will and all those who knew and loved Bob."
"Querida Lori para ti y toda tu familia recibe nuestro más sentido pésame, nuestras oraciones para tu padre y tu madre, para que al fin esten juntos con el Señor. Recibe de nuestra parte un gran abrazo y recuerda que siempre el Señor esta con nosotros en todos los momentos dificiles de nuestra vida."
"Dear Greg, Scott and all the Wrights, Please know you are in the thoughts and prayers of the Timm family. St. Charles has lost a most beloved resident!! I will alway remember both your dad and mom as the most kind and wonderful of people. Bob and Regis always graciously welcomed me into your home during SCHS years when both our families were connected through the hosting of AFS exchange students. Blessings & Peace, Cindy "
"Lori - Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. I wish you and your family strength for the weeks to come. Thinking of you, hugs, m"
"Serena and I wish to express our sorrow for your loss to the entire Wright family. I have been friends with Scott for the past 46 years, and became friends with Greg in high school. The Wright family has been one of my St. Charles favorites for a long time. Dr. Wright was not only my friends' father and one of my parent's best friends, but also my dentist. I always enjoyed his care and humor while sitting in the chair, even though I was distracted somewhat by the prods and drilling. He was a very nice and decent man, which was evident over and over again when the Brownells got together with the Wrights on the 4th of July, and other occasions. I will miss both Bob and Regis, and wish the best to the Wright family. Thanks for the wonderful and warm memories. Richard & Serena Brownell "
"I'll always remember your father for always having time to talk. One time I was working at the nursing home in St. Charles and was having a too busy evening with too much to do. Your Dad came in to care for one of the ladies at the home. I had just gotten done giving one of the residences his pills, which while we did that we had to hold his dentures in his mouth. So your father knew we were way to busy that night and he said can I help. I said yes fix his dentures. Well he went home came back with something to fix his dentures. That night we couldn't get his dentures out of his mouth... your Dad really fixed them. I always teased him about it. He loved showing picture of his grandkids and his beloved dog, which waved to people. He was a good measure of a man. Ruth Melbo Grandbois"
"Greg and Karen, I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. May your memories and love for one another bring you comfort in the days ahead. Lynn"
"Lori, I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you grieve. Ps.62:1 "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." "
"Te acompañamos siempre y que ahora este todo mas tranquilo."
"Greg and family, I am very sorry to hear of your father's passing, I remember him as a very pleasant man."
"Lori - Mi familia en Peru y yo tenemos en nuestra memorias bellos recuerdos de tu padre... amable, educado, culto y cortez. Pero sobre todo muy dulce e intelectual. Que orgullo para ti haber tenido y venir de una familia como la tuya .... un legado que te acompanara el resto de tu vida. Te acompanamos a ti y tu familia en nuestras oraciones reciban todo nuestro carino y amistad incondicional en estos momentos de pruebas de nuestra fe. Te quieren, Mehmet, Jackie y Lara-Nicole "
"Lorita - Recibe para ti y toda tu familia nuestro mas sentido pesame y especiales oraciones por la partida de tu padre.....tu familia peruana,Alicia y Miguel."