Richard Paul Wright

LtCol (R)

March 20, 1941 – May 8, 2021

Lived 80 years

Washington State Veterans Cemetery · Medical Lake, Washington

Favorite Visit

“School is four walls with tomorrow inside.” Lon Watters

In service to country

Thank you for your service

Richard served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.

Life story

Our loving husband, dad, son, brother, grampy, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, Richard Paul Wright, went Home to the Lord Saturday evening May 8, 2021, surrounded by family, love, prayer, and praise. Richard was born March 20, 1941 in Waterloo Iowa to Cecil and Marie Wright of Jesup Iowa, who reunited with him in his newly prepared heavenly home.

He grew up in Jesup with his big sister Mardene and graduated from the Jesup Community School in 1959 after being involved in school government, serving as Class Vice President, played cornet in the band, and was known for playing Taps for funeral services. His favorite activities revolved around sports; he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. His prowess in football took him to Coe College of Cedar Rapids where he played all four years on scholarship and served as Team Captain. He was a proud member of Tau Epsilon Fraternity (TKE) and the Air Force ROTC program. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and commissioned into the Air Force as a Special Agent with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) where he served 22 years, culminating as OSI detachment commander at Fairchild AFB in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and settling in Spokane Washington. Along the way he earned two masters’ degrees including a MA in Criminology from University of Nebraska. He attended the International Terrorist Course and Air War College among many courses in his military education.

Richard maintained a lifelong love of learning in history and the Bible that he relentlessly pursued at duty stations that took him around the world two and a half times, including to his favorite assignment at RAF Wethersfield, Essex, England. In retirement, he continued in investigations as a bank fraud, private, and government investigator. He actively supported and volunteered with a number of law enforcement organizations, most prominently the International Foot Printers Association.

On a blind date New Year’s Eve 1963 Kingsley Field Klamath Falls Oregon, he met Beverly May Hartford. They married July 24, 1965 and ultimately celebrated 56 years of marriage. They raised two children Michael and Heidi who went on to marry Colleen Dunn and Jim Rae, respectfully, and enrich his life with five grandchildren. A baptized Christian believer and a true servant church leader, he was a long time Presbyterian congregation member, Deacon and Elder of many churches, but notably First Presbyterian Church of Jesup and Whitworth Presbyterian Church of Spokane. His favorite Christian experiences were Walk to Emmaus, Promise Keepers, leading bible studies, and their growth group. He was a man of great faith, integrity, and love: love of his family and friends, love of reading, music, and history. He was also keenly aware of the hobbies and interests of his loved ones and was always on the lookout to find little objects, articles, books, or newspaper clippings that he knew would interest them. He would set them aside until a few stacked up, and then mail them out every few months.

Known for his love of the Red, White, and Blue, he was lovingly called “Captain America” in his ever-present red, white, and blue track suits and purposeful pace. Many will think of him fondly when having a huckleberry or butterscotch milkshake, watching Young Frankenstein, Vacation, or Animal House where his laugh was absolutely infectious, cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Seahawks or maybe running Spokane's Bloomsday or Cherry Pickers Trot.

His last years were tough, as he battled Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia, but he kept his humor, love, and faith to the end. He passed on peacefully and is no longer trapped and suffering in his worldly body.

Our family was blessed that he received such wonderful care at the Spokane VA Hospice unit. The nurses and staff there are exceptional, providing more than just medical care. They provided compassion, dignity, and love to the last minute. The final walk out of the VA Hospice Community Care Center with all care givers lining the way to the door was so dignified and special there was not a dry eye on anyone. Richard was preceded and is now in the loving arms of his mother and father Cecil and Marie, grandparents, mother and father-in-law; Wilhelmina and Charles Hartford, brother-in-law; Gordon Marquart and many a friend. He is survived by his wife Beverly, sister; Mardene Marquart, son and daughter in law; COL(R) Michael and LTC (R) Colleen Wright, daughter and son in law Heidi and Jim Rae, Grandchildren; 1LT Elena Dunn (1LT Keanu Dunn), Emily Wright, Megan Wright, Maddie Rae, and Adam Rae.

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