Article published Wednesday, October 14, 2009 RICHARD L. WRIGHT, 1931-2009 Ex-Sylvania teacher had led VFW post
ADRIAN - Richard L. Wright, 77, a longtime Sylvania high school teacher, died Monday in Lynwood Manor, Adrian, of complications from cancer.
He retired in 1989 from Northview High School, the name it received in 1976 when Southview High School opened. He had taught there 25 years, mostly architectural and mechanical drafting.
"He liked the people. He liked the kids," his wife, Gay, said.
He was tough but earned the students' respect, his wife said. Several have corresponded with him, years after they graduated.
"He always had a sense of right and wrong," Mrs. Wright said. "He made the kids toe the line."
He bucked the trend toward casual attire in the classroom. "He always wore a suit to school," his wife said. "He felt if you wanted the kids to respect you, you don't dress like the kids."
In retirement, he was in charge of detention at Springbrook Middle School in Adrian.
Born in Massillon, Ohio, he worked in a steel mill for about a year after high school.
"He decided that was not his life," his wife said.
Mr. Wright received a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University, his education interrupted by Army service in the Korean War. He later received a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University.
He had an interest in things mechanical and taught math, drafting, and industrial arts - including about seven years at the Madison School District in Lenawee County. He also was athletic director there.
He once considered a professional golf career. He was a founder of the Lenawee County Golf Association.
He was a past commander of the VFW Annis Fint Post in Adrian.
Surviving are his wife, the former Gay Lee Evans, whom he married in 1958; son, Douglas Lee Wright; daughters, Margot Lee Hoffman and Lynda Lee Gercak; sister, Delores Allman, and four grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow in the Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, where the body will be after 2 p.m. today.
The family suggests tributes to the Lenawee Parkinson's Support Group, Adrian, or Maple Avenue Bible Church, which he attended. Permanent Link
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