Dr. Fred Marion Wright (1923-2016)

WRIGHT, LANE, DRENCKPOHL, LOWERY, KELLER, WRIGHT

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 9/3/2016 at 18:43:17

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Dr. Fred Wright, 93, of Ames, died peacefully Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Bickford Cottage of Ames.

Fred Marion Wright was born September 29, 1923 to Fred and Frances (nee Lane) Wright in Aurora, Illinois. Dr. Wright graduated from Yorkville High School, Yorkville, Illinois in 1941. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. He graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio in 1944 and was elected to membership in the Phi Beta Kappa society. Fred married Mary Louise Drenckpohl in Chicago, Illinois on December 27, 1947. He graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois with a Masters Degree in 1948 and a PhD in 1953. Dr. Wright was the father of two sons, James Wright and Thomas Wright. His sister, Patricia Lowery of Farmerville, Louisiana survives him. His parents; his brother, Roy Wright; his sisters, Virginia Keller and Devona Wright; and an infant brother, George Wright, precede him in death.

Dr. Wright was selected by the Marines to be trained as a Japanese code breaker. His service was curtailed when he contracted tuberculosis while in a Marine hospital. After being bedridden for a year, he went on to complete his education. He joined the faculty of Iowa State University in 1953 and was promoted to Professor in 1964. Dr. Wright loved teaching and working with students. He was PhD advisor to a number of students during the 1960's, and then shifted his focus to undergraduate education. He authored several textbooks. He was named a "most effective instructor" for three years running in the early 2000's. He was dedicated to doing his best to help students learn Mathematics and to helping each student reach his or her goals. He was a long time member of the Faculty Bowling League. He retired in 2006, and was conferred the honor of Professor Emeritus with an office in the Mathematics Department where he continued to advise and mentor students. After retirement, Fred and Mary Lou established the Fred Wright Mathematics Endowed Scholarship at Iowa State University. The scholarship is awarded to mathematics students who hold at least a sophomore standing, demonstrate leadership qualities, and earn a 3.0 GPA or above. Fred and Mary Lou have been very active members of Collegiate Presbyterian Church since their arrival in Ames in 1953.

Inurnment will be in the Collegiate Presbyterian Church Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Fred Wright Mathematics Scholarship at Iowa State Foundation, c/o Fred Wright Mathematics Scholarship, 2505 University Blvd., Ames, Iowa 50010.

Memorial Service
SEP 10, 02:00 PM
Collegiate Presbyterian Church
159 Sheldon Ave.
Ames, IA, US

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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