Robert Wright
*Robert Wright was born on this date in 1925. He was a Black lawyer and public servant.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Wright was the son of Julius Wright and Myrtle Terrell. He graduated from East High School in 1943. After graduation, He enrolled in the United States Army and served in England, France, and Germany during WWII. He was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. On February 23, 1946, Bob married his childhood sweetheart, Berniece Kelley, in Des Moines, Iowa. They were married for over 63 years, and a son and daughter were born from this union.
He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Jurist of Doctor of Law from Drake University in 1954. He was a Sigma Pi Phi (Boule), Kappa Alpha Psi, and Phi Alpha Delta Fraternities. Wright worked as a Des Moines Police officer from 1952 to 1955. After retiring from the police force, he opened his law firm and practiced for 50 years. He was known as Iowa's "Mr. Civil Rights" because of his tireless work of advancing equal opportunities for all citizens throughout the state and nation.
Wright was a member of various civic organizations, including the NAACP, North Star #2 Masonic Lodge, National Bar Association, and the Iowa State Bar Association. Attorney Robert "Bob" Wright Sr. died peacefully on January 12, 2010. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 23, 2010, at Union Baptist Church, he was a member for over 55 years.
