Richard Ralph Wright

Richard Ralph Wright

Richard Ralph Wright, 82, of Toledo, Iowa, and formerly of Dike, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at the Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama. Born in Nashua, Iowa to George and June Wright he lived most of his life in northeast Iowa. Richard is survived by sons Scott (Janet), Terry (Lisa), stepson Matt Fisher (Tina), and 5 grandsons and 4 granddaughters.

After graduating from East Waterloo High School, Richard served in the US Navy. He went on to receive his BA and Masters Degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Richard taught instrumental music for most of his career, including Dike Schools (64-74), Waterloo West High School (74-76), Central Waterloo High (76-78), and finally at South Tama Middle School from 1980 until his retirement in 1995. Richard’s wife Karolyn, whom he married in 1986, passed away in 2015. Richard loved teaching music to children as well as young adults and his music programs, concerts, jazz and marching bands were widely acknowledged to be among the best in the State regardless of the school.

Richard also loved fishing and golfing and for several years belonged to the Tama-Toledo Country Club. Later in life he especially enjoyed visiting with his friends at the Toledo American Legion, and earlier at the Tama-Toledo Eagles Club. A special thank you to his friends at those organizations for their friendship and loving care and support.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastor Harlan Nuss officiating. A Celebration of Life Gathering will follow at the Toledo American Legion. Memorial Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2018 from 1-2 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to the Tama County Humane Society or the Toledo American Legion.