David Richard WRIGHT

WRIGHT, BIONDAHL, SCHNITTJER, JORGENSEN, TRIPP, POHLMAN, RING-FOSS, FOSS, RING

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/24/2011 at 11:43:26

March 24, 2011
Fort Dodge Messenger - Iowa

June 6, 1935 --- March 22, 2011

EAGLE GROVE, IA - David Richard Wright, son of Charles Timothy and Olga Henrietta (Biondahl) Wright, was born June 6, 1935, in West Allis, Wis. He attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse built by his grandfather near Thor, Iowa, then Eagle Grove schools. After moving with his family, he graduated from Mechanicsville High School in 1953.

On November 15, 1958, Dave married Margaret Kay Schnittjer at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove, Iowa. Dave and Maggie were blessed with four children: Susan, Duane, Paul, and Amy. Dave worked for Younglove Construction building grain elevators until 1961. He began a 25 year career with Farmland Industries at the Co-op plant north of Eagle Grove. He then managed the Muscatine River Terminal 1966-1975. Returning to Eagle Grove, he was Office Manager of the Fort Dodge Ammonia Plant. He worked for Gold Eagle Co-op from 1988 until retiring in 2001. Dave was a member of the United Methodist Church. He served nine years on the Eagle Grove School Board. He was President of the Muscatine Quarterback Club and Chairman of Muscatine Great River Days. He was an active member of Eagle Grove Sports and Music Boosters and he loved coaching softball and baseball for several years. The power of music inspired Dave throughout his life. He surrounded himself with it to the end. Dave was always ready with a joke or one-liner, or a nickname and a smile for everyone who had the good fortune to get to know him.

Dave passed away March 22, 2011, at Careage of Clarion at age 75, surrounded by the love and presence of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother Charles A. Wright, and nephew Ted Jorgensen. Dave is survived by his wife of 52 years, Maggie Wright of Eagle Grove; daughter Susan E. Tripp and husband Nelson of Asheville, N.C., son Duane R. Wright of Ames, Iowa; son Paul D. Wright and wife Keri of San Rafael, Calif.; daughter Amy M. Wright of Asheville, N.C.; seven grandchildren: Christopher, Eric and Matthew Pohlman, Nathan Tripp, Simon and Logan Wright, Rilley Jo Ring-Foss; nieces and nephews, and countless ball players, athletes, musicians and friends he encouraged. The family also wishes to acknowledge his "other" family: the Careage caregivers and staff that he loved.

Visitation will be at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove on Friday, March 25 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Memorial services will be Saturday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Pastor Mike Agnew officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove with family present.