Robert Michael Wright

A redwood has fallen. Robert Michael Wright, “Mike”, our rock, passed away quite unexpectedly on June 26 at the young age of 68 due to sudden cardiac arrest. This big-hearted, giant of a man waited until all his family could surround him in love before he went home to heaven. Born on November 1, 1948, in San Jose, CA, Mike was raised in San Jose, attended Pioneer High School, and went on to San Jose State earning a degree in aeronautical operations. It was there he met his bride-to-be, Barbara Jean Galbraith, and they married at the Old Mission de Tolosa, San Luis Obispo, on June 13, 1970. Immediately, thereafter, Mike enlisted in the Air Force which took them to Cheyenne, Wyoming where their first child, Jill, was born. Mike’s next assignment was at Torrejon Air Force base in Madrid, Spain. They welcomed their second child, Joshua, while serving overseas. After his honorable discharge, Mike relocated his family to Los Osos, CA in 1977, where he began his 41+ year career as a highly distinguished owner/agent for Farmers Insurance in San Luis Obispo. While with Farmers Insurance, Mike earned recognition in the Topper’s Achievement Club, as well as the Championship Achievement Club 14 times. As a redwood, Mike was a pillar of his community. Mike coached soccer for several years, helped start South Bay Advocates for Youth, served on CSA-9 which eventually evolved into the Los Osos Community Service District, where he served as president. Mike was a founding member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Catholic Parish in Los Osos where he petitioned the Diocese of Monterey to establish a Catholic church in the community of Los Osos. He served as the president of the church finance council and was a board member for over 20 years. In addition, Mike and Barb enjoyed mentoring couples preparing for marriage through Engaged Encounter. He cared deeply for his community and could, on occasion, be spotted playing Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny for the local area youth. As a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Mike loved researching genealogy and letting his family know that they could trace their roots back to the kings of England and Vikings. Mike and Barb thoroughly enjoyed traveling to the East Coast and searching out places of historical interest. In fact, they loved to travel anywhere and everywhere. Mike and Barb visited many countries in Europe and enjoyed Mexico, Canada and, of course, the many treasures here in our own country. However, the place that was most special in their hearts was Bass Lake where the Galbraith family has reunited every summer for the last four generations. Mike was the king of trivia. Anyone that tried to beat Mike’s knowledge of historical facts quickly realized they never had a chance. Although he never boasted, he was always proud. Mike was also known as the king of Sunday morning waffles by his four grandchildren. He adored his family and friends and would always do anything for them. When a redwood leaves us, there is a giant void in the place it called home. Mike is survived and greatly missed by his beloved wife and best friend for 47 years, Barbara Wright and his two children, Jill Wright Laursen (Peter) and Joshua Travis Wright. He also leaves behind 4 grandchildren, Noah and Ava Wright and Nicolas and Alida Laursen, as well as his sister, Suzanne Jones and family. A memorial mass for Mike will be held on Sunday, July 9 at 12 noon at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Morro Bay, followed by a reception. Please RSVP to [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. When you look up at the dark sky on a clear, starry night, you can be sure that one of the most brilliant stars is boldly saying, “Look at me,” and it will be Mike shining eternally in the skies above us. “Well done thy good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:23