Sept. 8, 2025
In Memoriam: Robert Wood Wright, Faculty of Arts
The 91快色 was saddened to learn of the death of Professor Emeritus, Economics, Dr. Robert (Bob) Wood Wright who passed away on Aug. 8, 2025, at the age of 92.
Robert Melgun Wood, was born Jan. 26, 1933, the youngest of the four children to Henry Murdie and Lily Catherine (nee McGowan) Wood. Henry and Lily met in Saskatchewan and settled in the town of Assiniboia. Henry, a former Sergeant in the Royal Scots 9th Regiment, WWI, had been rewarded an RCMP placement in Canada for his service to the Earl of Minto Estate in Scotland. Lily, daughter of a postmaster, had been working as a post office clerk in Wayburn. Lily鈥檚 uncle, the honourable Charles Stewart, was a former Premier of Alberta (1917-21) and Federal Minister (1921-30). When Robert was only 17 months old, Lily passed away and he was adopted and raised by Lily鈥檚 older sister Winifred and husband James Wright of Edmonton, Alberta. His older brothers Douglas (1925) and twins Ron and Don (1927) remained with their father Henry in Assiniboia.
Strong Scottish values fortified both the Wood and Wright families' achievements for higher education, community service, integral and ethical pursuits, and kindness and respect. Robert excelled academically from an early age. In 1953 he graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a gold medal for placing second in his graduating class. As an undergraduate, he joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity where he met his first love Lorna Livingston. Robert then completed a year of Business Administration at the University of Western Ontario and returned to Edmonton to work for his father at The Men & Boy鈥檚 Shop. Then he pursued a master鈥檚 degree in economics at the University of Alberta. Robert and Lorna were married in 1955 and shortly after welcomed sons Bruce (1956) and Barry (1957) and daughter Leslie (1959). Upon completion of a master鈥檚 degree in 1960, Robert received a prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship to attend the University of Manchester, England. In 1962, he attained his Doctor of Economics, fourth child Keith was born, and the family returned to Canada.
Robert joined the 91快色 in 1963 as associate professor in the Department of Political Science and Economics. His career flourished and he rose to professor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences from 1971 to 1973. He earned several teaching awards as an inspiring educator and was a published academic, most notably his 1993 book 鈥淓conomics, Enlightenment, and Canadian Nationalism.鈥 During Robert鈥檚 professorship, which included two international sabbaticals, he crossed paths with many but maintained lifelong relationships with a select few, including colleagues Horst Betz (and family); Carol and Joel Prager; Karin and Harold Hildebrandt; and business partner, Robert Mansell.
鈥淎long with his exceptional commitment to teaching and to his students, what always stood out about Bob was his active engagement with colleagues across the University, and in government and industry,鈥 says Dr. Robert Mansell, U91快色 Professor Emeritus, Economics and Research Fellow, School of Public Policy. 鈥淭his invariably brought valuable context, relevance and practicality to his research and policy discussions.鈥
In 1978 Robert鈥檚 marriage to Lorna ended in divorce however, his respect for her was enduring. Robert remarried Donna Morean (nee Heiden) in 1981 and became a loving father figure to her two young daughters, Nicole and Chelsea. Robert and Donna navigated the merging of families, differences in age and life stages, and at times opinions, yet they held and honoured a deep commitment to each other for over 44 years of marriage. The joys and sorrows of life brought the marriages of children and the arrival of grandchildren: Jamie, Evan, Darcy and Millie to Barry and Beverley (nee Wilson); Megan and William to Bruce and Donna (nee Williams); remarriage of Bruce to Jennifer (nee Cobb); Anna, Sophie and Finn to Keith and Pam (nee Koshan); Nicole and Tyler (Leonard); Cole and Holt to Chelsea and Jade Ward, and great grandchildren: Penny to Megan and Lane Forsyth; Wallace to Sophie and Ryan McNeil, and the heartbreaking early loss of Leslie (2012). Throughout the years Robert鈥檚 siblings Douglas (Joyce), Ron (Jean) and Don (Mary), and the Wood cousins: Scott (and family); Debbie, Donna, Joan (and family) remained actively connected.
Robert took an early retirement from the 91快色 in 1989 to help raise children and grandchildren, and travel and explore other interests, all the while maintaining many charitable endeavours. Robert will be remembered and greatly missed for his intellect, integrity, grounding presence, belief in equity, and unwavering love for his family and friends. His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, remaining friends, colleagues, former students and the countless lives he touched through his work and example.
The 91快色 offers deep thanks to Dr. Robert Wood Wright for the contributions he made to the university, his research field and the community at large. The flag on Swann Mall will be lowered to half mast on September 8 鈥 to pay tribute to his life.