Walter E. Wright

Walter E. Wright, 92, passed away on June 3, 2017. Walter was born on July 16, 1924 in Terre Haute, IN to Arthur Schell Wright and Mary Caroline (Maxwell) Wright. His sister, Mary Louise Priest, preceded him in death.
He attended Terre Haute Public Schools and graduated from Jefferson High School in Lafayette, IN. In 1942, he enrolled at Purdue University early due to the war. He then enlisted in the Reserve Corp in September 1942 and entered active duty with the US Army on May 18, 1943. He served in World War II with the 84th Infantry Division (The Railsplitters) in Europe in the Rhineland and Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service and was discharged on December 31, 1945.
He returned to Purdue University where he graduated with a BS degree in Pharmacy in 1948 and a PhD in Biochemistry and Pharmacology in 1953. While at Purdue, he met the love of his life, Ruth Loraine Kadell, of Birmingham, MI. They were married on August 18, 1951 and remained devoted to each other for 52 years until her death in 2003.
Walter and Ruth had five children, Susan Wright of Portland, OR; Carolyn Wright (Allen Hall) of Glen Ellyn, IL; Richard (Rhonda) Wright of Riner, VA; Thomas (Mary) Wright of Woodstock, IL and Donald (Cynthia) Wright of Indianapolis, IN. They were also blessed with 11 grandchildren – Katie, Natalie and Rob Lewis; Abby and Madeline Hall; Anna and Blanca Wright; Andrea and Sam Wright; and Heather and Nick Wright.
He was employed as a biochemist in Research and Development at Eli Lilly Laboratories in Indianapolis for 34 years. His research involved both the purification and pharmacokinetics of cephalosporin antibiotics. He was a lifelong member of The American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi Research Honorary Society and the Purdue Alumni Association.
After retirement from Eli Lilly, he volunteered at Allisonville Elementary School and other IPS schools teaching science and creating outdoor lab areas for over eleven years.

The family will hold private services at a later date. Walter and Ruth both stressed the importance of giving back to the community to their children and grandchildren and in doing so, set up the Walter E. and Ruth K. Wright Charitable Foundation. If you would like to make a memorial donation, you may send one to the Foundation at 5868 E 71st Street, E-361, Indianapolis, IN 46220. Condolences may also be sent to the same address.