Richard W. "Dick" Wright, 79, of Peoria, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Independence Village in Peoria. He was born on August 16, 1944, a son of Richard Warren Wright and Lois (Snedden) Wright. Dick married Sandra K. Chitty on August 22, 1964 in Peoria. She preceded him in death on January 22, 2024 in Peoria.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; and his beloved pet dogs and cats.
Dick is survived by his two children, Jay (Rose) Wright of Mackinaw and Kimberly (Jeff) Workman of Tremont; four grandchildren, Aidan and Sean Wright of Mackinaw, Eli (Ashlee) Workman of Claremore, Oklahoma, Tess (Teagan Johnson) Workman of Coweta, Oklahoma; one great-grandson, Austin Lee Workman of Claremore, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law, Rosemary Moffatt of Peoria and Gail (Joe) Wilkins of Sachse, Texas.
Dick worked as the benefits manager for Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria for 39.5 years, retiring in 2002.
He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria for many years, serving with the television crew for 30 years. Dick was a member of the Physicians Payment Review Commission for the United States Congress for four years, the State Employee Group Insurance Advisory Commission for the State of Illinois for seven years, a member of the Illinois State Health Facilities Planning Board, and the PEW Fellows Program through Boston University. He also was a member of the Central Illinois Pond Society (with 678 goldfish), the Early Ford V8 Club, and the Bradley Chiefs Club. Dick really enjoyed landscaping his yard over the years.
How to put into words the life of a man of few words. He didn't need to say much to get his point across. He loved deeply and it showed through his eyes and his actions. Dad gave of himself selflessly, without need for acknowledgement. He loved mom, Jay and Kimberly fiercely. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandson without measure.
Jay and Kimberly watched and learned how to serve others through him. He cared for mom's every need for so many years before he finally accepted that he wasn't physically able to anymore, then he hired the best ladies to continue that care. We are so thankful to them for their friendship and to all who cared for and loved our mom and dad.
We have spent so much more time with him this last year since he has been on hospice. May 2023, they told him he had a few weeks to live since he went off of dialysis. But God had different plans for him and our family. He brought us closer together and we became more intentional with our time together. One month led to two and now we are at 12 months. Grateful doesn't begin to describe the extra time that we have been able to share with him. We know with how quickly mom was taken from us that we are incredibly blessed to have had this precious time.
Our hearts are full and broken to pieces at the same time. He is finally back with momma watching the Cardinals and BU Basketball from Heaven. (Maybe he can have some input on the season this year as dad can be highly influential).
Our lives will never be the same. We are at a loss, but so incredibly grateful for the father that we were blessed with who pointed us to The Father.
Dick's visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria. An additional visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. His funeral service will be at 11:00 am also on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church Media Ministry or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Peoria Affiliate Clinic.
Online condolences may be shared with Dick's family at www.RemmertFuneralHome.com.
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