Donald C. Wright

Donald "Don" C. Wright of Topeka, Kansas passed away on November 22, 2021 at the age 98. He was born on September 28, 1923 in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, the eldest of six children of Burr C. and Gladys L. (Root) Wright. He attended Terril High School in Terril, Iowa where he excelled in football. Don was also a successful amateur boxer during his youth and early college years.

Subsequent to graduating from high school in 1941, Don worked at a general store in Terril before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942. While in the Navy, he served as an Electrician's Mate on the USS Bray. While serving, Don attended multiple colleges, including Dartmouth College and Princeton University. Don was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945 after serving through the end of World War II.

Don married Anna "Ann" Margaret Beebe on July 28, 1946 in Wever, Iowa. Ann preceded Don in death, passing away on January 20, 2009 after the two shared 63 years of marriage.

Don completed his education at the University of Iowa, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Commerce in 1948 and a Master of Arts in Economics in 1949. He began his professional career as Instructor at Washburn University of Topeka in 1949 and retired as Full Professor in Washburn's School of Business in 1984. Don served as acting Dean of the School of Business toward the end of his career. He belonged to multiple academic honor societies and received Washburn's Faculty Certificate of Merit Award in 1981. In 2005, Washburn opened the donor-funded and technology-focused Wright-Gustavson classroom as part of its Business Technology Center within the School of Business.

In his later years, Don was an active member of Potwin Presbyterian Church in Topeka. In addition to his meaningful contributions to the church, he maintained deep connections to the Topeka community and to Washburn through his volunteer efforts.

Don was an avid outdoorsman and lifelong athlete and sports fan. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, tennis, watching sports (particularly his Iowa Hawkeyes), and was a strong supporter of Washburn athletics, attending basketball games until he was no longer able to confidently negotiate the stairs in Lee Arena. Don also took up golf, as did his wife, Ann, after Don received a set of clubs as a retirement gift.

Don is survived by a brother, Keith Wright, and his wife, Marian, of Springfield, Illinois; a sister, Gloria Fudoli, of Oak Park, Illinois; and two sisters-in-law, Joann Wright of Wilmar, Minnesota and Catherine Wright of Powhatan, Virginia. Other survivors include a daughter, Jackie Weissenburger, and her husband, Fred, of Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin and a son, Bradley Wright, and his wife, Kay, of Naples, Florida. Four grandchildren survive: Kurt Weissenburger, Derek Weissenburger (and wife Brittany), Leslie Wright (and husband Alex Roitman), and Tyler Wright. Two great-grandchildren, Harlow and Otto Weissenburger, also survive. Up until the time of his death, Don expressed great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka. Burial will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Don's family will greet friends one-half hour prior to the service. To view the service live, please click on this link: One Room Link

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Donald C. Wright Business Scholarship Fund at Washburn Endowment Association, 1729 SW McVicar, Topeka, KS 66604 (wualumni.org).

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