Obituary for Robert Keith Wright
Robert Keith Wright, 62, of Rockwall, Texas passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He was born September 19, 1960, in Odessa, Texas to G.B. and Charlotte (Dickinson) Wright. Mr. Wright was an active manufacturing engineer as Director of Facilities and Manufacturing Engineering at 4Front Engineered Solutions for almost 19 years.
Robert followed in his brother’s footsteps and played pop warner football. He excelled in Judo in his middle school years as well as football and basketball. He also was heavily involved in Boy Scouts thanks to his two older brothers, Carroll and Travis, the Boys and Girls Club, church softball leagues, and many other activities. Robert grew up fishing and waterskiing at his parents’ lake cabin in Colorado City. These are hobbies and activities that he would pass down to his children. Many weekends were spent at the lake cabin teaching his children how to cast a reel, not get bit by water moccasins, and fry catfish. Robert also made it a life mission to antagonize his sister, Sheri, whenever possible and cause trouble with his German Shepherds, first Rascal and later Frances. As a young boy, he loved model trains, running track throughout his childhood room. He would keep that passion with him to adulthood and eventually have an entire room dedicated to his hobby of Lionel trains.
Robert was a Permian Panther and played football and baseball at Permian High School in Odessa, TX from 1976--1979. He loved being a fullback on the Mojo football team. He was an athlete and was also brilliant, excelling at his academic studies. Robert would meet his wife, Colleen, their senior year at Permian High School in 1979. Robert and Colleen ‘bumped’ into each other in one of the hallways and that was all it took for them to live a life together for 43 years (two years dating and 41 years married). He and Colleen were married on June 6, 1981.
His engineering career began at Texas A&M University, which would lead to his lifetime love of the Texas fighting Aggies. After a year and half, he transferred to Odessa College and later the University of Texas at the Permian Basin and started working for OPI, Inc. in Odessa, Texas from 1981--1983 as an entry level engineer. Subsequently, he took an opportunity at Robert Bosch in Charleston, South Carolina, which was a transformative experience as he received advice and mentoring from some of the best engineers at the time. He earned the highest level of Senior Engineer during his time at Bosch, working a total of eight years from 1983--1991. Robert also earned his B.S in Industrial Engineering from the Baptist College of Charleston in 1990. He then worked for Overhead Door Corporation for several years. His final engineering position was at 4Front Engineered Solutions in Carrollton, Texas from 2004--2022. Robert always wanted to be challenged in his work and most recently completed major projects of relocations of manufacturing plants in Mundelein, Illinois and Kenosha, Wisconsin. Over the course of Robert’s engineering career, he was an inventor and was awarded one U.S. patent and was a co-inventor on several others.
Robert and his wife, Colleen, celebrated their 40th anniversary in Hawaii and were the longest married couple at their luau. When asked what he did to earn and keep his wife’s hand, he simply replied “I cook”. It was a meaningful night filled with Hawaiian food, music, and dancing.
They had two children, Benjamin Jacob was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1988 and Emily Alyse was born in Lubbock, Texas in 1993. He was a wonderful provider for his family and was involved in their school activities, including science fair projects, athletic games, band competitions, and others. He coached Ben and Emily in soccer, basketball, and baseball/softball. He taught with passion and fun, including everyone in the game, and their teams excelled on and off the field. Of all the sports his children participated in, soccer may have been one of Robert’s favorites. He was involved with soccer for 30 years whether he was coaching Ben and Emily, refereeing matches, or assigning and mentoring referees to games as Referee Assignor. Robert was also one of the founding members of Rowlett Youth Soccer Association and gave his time to this organization long after his children grew up and moved away. His last position was Referee Assignor and he enjoyed being at the fields every weekend.
Robert and Colleen found their forever home in Rockwall in 2016. Their almost two acres, kept their life full and complete with their children visiting frequently. Robert loved gardening and enjoyed working outside and riding his John Deere tractor. He was always covered in dirt. He kept the front yard immaculate and took great pride in his flower beds. After long days of doing yard work, Robert and Colleen would cool off in the pool and relax together, listening to their favorite 70s music. He loved traveling- Robert and his wife spent countless hours antiquing and exploring looking for that special train to add to his collection.
Robert was a wonderful cook, famous for waffles and sausage gravy and biscuits. He made the best finger-licking smoked ribs and twice-baked potatoes. His rub and mopping sauce for ribs was his own creation, inspired by Colleen’s grandfather. Everything he cooked, barbequed, or smoked was always delicious. In fact, one of the first items Robert prepared for Colleen was ice cream pie, a favorite to this day.
Robert lived a full life and gave everything he did 150%. For instance, he decorated their Rockwall home with thousands of lights every year. Considering Christmas was his favorite time of the year, he was always searching for another Noel candle. He accumulated 23! They won first place in their neighborhood light fight last Christmas in 2021. He was ecstatic when he heard the news. Job well done, Robert!
On October 14th after a day off from his beloved engineering job, he and his wife were walking after a few hours at the State Fair of Texas. Robert collapsed with cardiac arrest (irregular arrythmia). Robert fought hard and went to be with Jesus on October 18, 2022. His wife and children, family members, and coworkers with 4Front and RYSA will miss him tremendously. Heaven is brighter with him there, yet Earth is darker without him. We all learned so much from him. Whether it was work, soccer (coaching, refereeing, referee assigning, mentoring), or southern engineering the house, Robert was the best husband and dad, smoke grill master, gardener, Aggie, Cowboy fan, and friend to all. His smile lit up a room and his stories kept everyone in stitches. Robert simply made everything better and was the “rock” for his family. He will remain in our hearts forever. We will miss you, but we will see you again.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Colleen Wright of Rockwall, Texas; two children, Benjamin J. Wright of Austin, Texas, and Emily A. Wright of Lubbock, Texas; brother, Travis D. Wright (wife, Mary Jane) of Boerne, Texas; sister, Sheri L. Killion (husband, James) of Lubbock, Texas; sister-in-law Charlotte Wright of New Braunfels, Texas; four nephews; five nieces; and several grandnephews and grandnieces. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, G.B. and Charlotte Wright, and brother, Carroll E. Wright.
Funeral services will be held 1:00pm Thursday, October 27, 2022, at Reflections at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall location. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 6:00pm to 8:00pm Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at The Gathering at Rest Haven Funeral Home- Rockwall location.
https://www.resthavenfuneral.com/obituaries/Robert-Wright-107/