R. Dean Wright

R. Dean Wright, Ellis and Nelle Levitt Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Drake University, died Friday, August 15 after a lengthy battle against cancer. He was 69.
Dean was born on September 12, 1938 near Stroud, Oklahoma. A few days later he was adopted by Leland and Ella Murray Wright and grew up in Thayer and Neodesha in Southern Kansas. Following Leland’s death, Ella married Everett Parsons in 1955. Everett adopted Dean some years later.
Dean completed Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees at Pittsburg State University in Kansas and his PhD in Sociology at the University of Missouri. During 1963-64 Dean was a Fulbright Scholar at Delhi University in New Delhi India and he served in the US Army from 1964-1966.
In September 1967 Dean married Susan Walker. They lived for three years in Blacksburg, Virginia where Dean taught at Virginia Tech. In 1971 they moved to Des Moines where their son, Ehren Dean was born in 1972.
Dean joined the faculty at Drake University in the fall of 1971 where he taught until his retirement in May 2004. Dean was a dynamic and caring teacher and was recognized for his commitment with awards and by the accomplishments of the many students with whom he stayed in touch. In 2002 he was named Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Sociology.
Dean was an active scholar publishing more than 50 articles in professional journals and several books. His most recent books, "Applying Sociology: Making the World a Better Place" in 2001 and "Politics in the Human Interest: Applying Sociology in the Real World" in 2007, articulate his intense interest in using academic research and expertise to help solve real-world problems.
These academic commitments were applied in his own life through many volunteer activities. His outreach in central Iowa included working at homeless shelters and with the Salvation Army service programs. He served as a member on many community boards and committees, and served as chair of the Greater Des Moines Salvation Army Board, the Iowa Criminal and Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, the Iowa State Council on Homelessness, and Compassion in Action and the Foundation Board for the Des Moines Area Religious Council.
His volunteer activities were recognized through many awards including The Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award at Drake University, the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award, as well as awards from Amnesty International, Des Moines Area Religious Council, Iowa Corrections Association, Port of Entry, Iowa Community Action Association, and induction into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame. Last April, the Iowa Legislature honored him for his lifetime of achievement. Dean also served his profession through active involvement in the Midwest Sociological Society including serving as president. He was recognized for his work by being named the first recipient of the Midwest Sociological Society Distinguished Service Award.
Dean loved to garden and to spend time with his family and friends. He was a devoted father and grandfather. Dean will be missed by his wife Sue, his son and daughter-in-law Ehren and Michelle Stover-Wright, his grandchildren Aiden and Ella, and his many friends and colleagues.
A memorial service will be held on August 29, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium in Drake’s Old Main Hall. A reception will follow in Levitt Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Dean and Sue Wright Faculty Development Fund at Drake University or to the Des Moines Area Religious Council Foundation. Services are being handled by Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway.

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