Wakefield “Wakie” Albright Wright passed away January 21, 2007, at the age of 91 at the Hospice House in Kennewick.

He will be remembered by those fortunate enough to know him as a true gentleman who, amid considerable adversity, never wavered in his religious faith, kindness toward others, zeal for life, love of people, and devotion to his wife, family, and friends. We will all also miss his golden sense of humor, the steady stream of facts and memories that flowed from his encyclopedic mind, and the look on his face when a loved one came to visit or a big meal sat on the table before him.

Wakie, the oldest of six children, was born February 7, 1915 in Carrollton, Ohio to Ralph and Ethel Wright. He graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1933. He met his future wife, Helen “Mitzie” Mittler, in 1936, and received a degree in biological sciences from the University of Louisville in 1938.

Family was always integral to Wakie’s life. His 65-year marriage to Mitzie began in 1941, in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Jo Ann, their daughter, was born in 1942, and they adopted a son, Robert “Bobby”, in 1950. Later in life, he developed close relationships with his son-in-law Willie, his granddaughter Michele, and his grandson Mike.

Wakie was among the first generation of scientists to transfer to Hanford for the Manhattan Project. In 1944 he moved to Richland, and worked at Hanford until he retired in 1980.

Wakie and Mitzie were avid travelers. They toured all 50 states, joined 16 Elderhostel trips, and visited several countries in Europe and Asia.

Wakie always loved sports. He was a varsity baseball player at the University of Louisville for four years, and was the most inspirational player his freshman year. He was active in bowling, golf, or softball leagues in the Tri-Cities for fifty years. He was a member of the 1963 Washington State Bowling Championship team. He was also a member of the 1948 Washington State Softball Championship team with Eddie Feigner as a star attraction. He had a hole-in-one at the West Richland Golf course in the mid-1990s. One of his favorite pastimes in the 1980s and 1990s was to attend his grandchildren’s athletic events.

Wakie is a charter member of the Richland Lutheran Church. He holds life membership in the American Bowling Congress, Tri-Cities Bowling hall of fame, El Katif Shrine, Columbia Basin Shrine Club, Richland Lodge No.273.

He is survived by his wife Mitzie, son-in-law Willie Evans, granddaughter Michele Evans, grandson Mike Evans and his wife Cathy, brother Bill Wright and his wife Joyce, sister Catherine Good, sister-in-law Norma Wright, brother-in-law Jack Mittler and his wife Betty, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter Jo Ann Evans, son Bobbie Wright, sister Margrethe Hawn, and brothers David and Nathan.

The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the staff at Alterra, Kadlec Hospital, Quail Hollow, Dr. M.L. Ramesh and the Hospice House in Kennewick for the wonderful care given to Wakie.

There will be a viewing Thursday, January 25 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Einan’s Funeral Home.

Services will be held Friday, January 26 at 11:00 am at the Richland Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, Wakie asked that donations be made to Good News Media Ministry, Richland Lutheran Church, Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of Spokane, or the Hospice House of Kennewick.