Richard Douglas (“Doug”) Wrightsel, 82 years, of Powell, Ohio, passed away on September 25, 2022. Doug was born in McArthur, Ohio to Paul Edward and Pauline Wrightsel. Doug was preceded in passing this year by his sister Paulette (Wrightsel) Mitchen. Doug is survived by his two sons, P. Brent Wrightsel (spouse Heather) and Bradley B. Wrightsel. Doug is also survived by his four grandchildren, Kelsey Wrightsel, Madison Wrightsel, Jack Wrightsel, and Trent Wrightsel, whom he cherished and adored.
Doug was proud of his roots. Occasionally referring to himself as a native of the rolling hills of Vinton County. He and his sister grew up in a home that was attached to his father’s business, Wrightsel Funeral Home. Rather than work in the family business, Doug embarked on an academic journey that never brought him back to McArthur.
Upon graduating from high school in 1958, Doug attended Denison University and was accompanied by his high school sweetheart turned bride, Barbara Benedict Wrightsel. During his time at Denison, Doug formed many strong bonds with his ATO fraternity brothers that would continue the rest of his life. During his junior year, Doug and Barbara welcomed their first son, Brent, into the world and thus started one of his greatest joys in life - being a father. Despite the rigors of becoming a young parent (thanks Barb), Doug excelled academically and his success with the LSAT would afford him the opportunity to attend law school on a full academic scholarship.
His final decision came down to Duke Law School and Vanderbilt School of Law. Doug chose Vandy and his academic success continued, being elected to the Order of the Coif, and an editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. Doug graduated fourth in his law school class in 1965 and added his youngest son, Brad, to the family.
After considering several attractive offers from law firms across the country, Doug decided to return to Columbus to start what would end up being a 57-year legal career.
Doug believed in the benefit of Bar Association activities. After years of Board service, Doug served as President of the Columbus Bar Association (CBA) and later as President of the Columbus Bar Foundation. Doug was proud when Brad served as CBA President, making them the first father-son duo to hold that position. In 2008, Doug was the recipient of the CBA Bar Service Medal, the CBA’s highest award.
Doug acted as the Managing Partner of the law firm Arter & Hadden. He was also a former Partner/Director at Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter. While Doug enjoyed his time working at these law firms, in 2001, he decided to open a law office with Brad in Upper Arlington. Brent had been looking for space to further grow his successful development company, so the father and his two sons were able to work closely for the rest of Doug’s life. Doug loved his work arrangement. He became a fixture in many of Brent’s company meetings and worked closely with Brad.
After all of his accomplishments, one of his biggest accomplishments was being a loving father and grandfather. An accomplishment that his family will always remember.
Doug believed that as far as cities to practice law in, there is none better than Columbus. The family has experienced that firsthand with an outpouring of condolences and compliments of Doug. “He was one of the great lawyers of our time and you should be so proud of him.” “Your dad was a great man…Doug was always a gentleman, always very thoughtful and kind to me, and reminded me of my father in many ways. May loving memories of him bring you peace, comfort, and strength, today and always.”
In May 2000, while vacationing in Bar Harbor, Maine, Doug was involved in a serious car accident when a large pickup truck went left of center and struck Doug’s car head on. This devastating crash resulted in the death of a close and dear friend of Doug’s, Marsha Schermer, and left Doug battling to recover through 65 days in an ICU in Bangor, Maine and then back in Columbus. Doug was incapacitated for about a year and a half. Doug’s strength, perseverance, and will to live earned him another 22 years of a wonderful life with his family. Doug established, through the Columbus Bar Foundation, the Marsha Schermer Fund.
If you knew Doug well, you knew his love of dogs. While he loved all dogs, the canine love of his life was his Yellow Lab, Duchess, who he would refer to as the “blond bombshell”. Her likeness still hangs on a prominent wall of his home, an oil painting presented to Doug by the Columbus Bar Foundation.
In one of Doug’s last gatherings with his fraternity brothers, he shared that “good health is a paramount blessing” and “we live through our children and our grandchildren, our most important assets.” He also shared “I am quite proud of my sons.”
While many people work during their lives with the thoughts of future retirement, do not count Doug among them. Doug loved to go to the office. He had the opportunity to see his sons every day and was in an office with frequent grandchildren and family dog visits.
Doug’s grandkids always knew him as “Papa”. His oldest granddaughter, Kelsey, was the apple of his eye. He was so happy and proud to have a grandchild. In fact, at a Columbus Clipper game where Doug was going to throw the ceremonial first pitch, he marched Kelsey out to the mound with him. In hindsight, a clever stunt that distracted the crowd from witnessing Doug’s attempt. Doug was thrilled that Kelsey excelled at school and ultimately followed in her father’s footsteps on a path to a real estate career. Next up was Madison, who also excelled academically, and thrilled Doug when she decided to become a school teacher. His third was his first grandson, Jack. He loved going to watch Jack play any sport. Fortunately for Doug, Jack turned out to be a pretty darn good athlete and there were ample opportunities to spectate. Then came the final grandchild, Trent, and Papa noticed something he had not seen before - a Wrightsel who could carry a tune and play a musical instrument.
Throughout Doug’s last sickness, he acted with strength and grace, caring more about the toll on his family than himself, which is a testament to the person he was. When he finally succumbed to his illness, he had his two sons and daughter-in-law by his side.
Family will receive friends from 4-7 PM Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Rd, Upper Arlington, where a funeral service will also be held at 9:30 AM on Thursday. A private family interment will be held at Elk Cemetery, MacArthur, Ohio. The family thanks the staff at the Kobacher House for their care and compassion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kobacher House in his honor.
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