Robert Bruce Wright's Obituary
Robert Bruce Wright of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, age 95, died on October 28, 2012. He was born on June 18, 1917 in Manila, Philippine Islands where his father, Bruce S. Wright, was the first pastor of the Union Church of Manila. Robert Wright graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania in 1940 and married Elizabeth Truman that same year. Elizabeth died in 2008 at age 94, after 68 years of marriage to Robert.
After two years of graduate study at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, he earned an MA and an M.A.L.D. in 1942. During World War II he served in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff Intelligence, US Air Force, in Washington, D.C. In 1945 he moved to the Department of State where he worked on policy for trade and economic relations with the Soviet Union, the individual Eastern European countries and mainland China from the start of the Cold War until his retirement in 1976 as Director of the Office of East-West Trade in the Bureau of Economic Affairs.
After moving to Rehoboth Beach in 1976, Robert and Elizabeth (Betty) traveled widely in the United States and Canada as well as abroad on family research and history. Robert was a member of the Rehoboth Art League from the late 1950's and served on the Board and as President in the 1980's. In 1993, on its 250th anniversary, he completed a history of The Homestead: Peter Marsh's House, 1743-1993, the Colonial Manor House listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a part of the responsibility of the Rehoboth Art League.
After an attack by polio in 1932, Robert took up etching. For the rest of his life he pursued, as an avocation, the ancient traditional techniques of the artist-etchers who prepared and painted their own plates. He continued to exhibit his works at intervals as long as he was able to. His prints are held by the Rehoboth Art League as well as in many private collections.
Robert is survived by two sons: Michael Bruce Wright of Bristol, Rhode Island and Anthony Truman Wright of Falls Church, Virginia and Rehoboth Beach; daughter-in-law, MaryKae; four grandsons; two granddaughters; and three great-grandsons.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Rehoboth Art League, 12 Dodds Lane, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or to the West Rehoboth Community Land Trust, Inc. (WRCLT), P.O. Box 633, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Please sign Mr. Wright’s online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
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