Randy Ben Wright

Randy's life reflected both the light and dark of an honest existence. His was a life filled with intellectual brilliance and incredible loving support to his family, and also characterized by a lifelong struggle for health and internal peace. In death he has found tranquility and his kind spirit shines on in the minds and memories of all who knew him. Randy's life was emblematic of his Baby Boomer generation. Born in the new American post-war suburbia in 1947, Randy was soon listening to the new transistor radio and watching the new television set, fascinated by the images of space travel and the frightening potential of the nuclear era. The Mr. Wizard show spurred his imagination in an era of significant scientific and technological discoveries. At an early age, Randy was conducting scientific experiments, and one such experiment left his mom's flower garden forever barren.

For all the joy and the innocent golden glow of youth, Randy's early life was defined by poliomyelitis and the nation's worst outbreak of the virus which afflicted thousands of Americans in 1952, many of them children. One of those children was Randy. On August 19, 1952, just 11 days after Randy's 5th birthday, he was diagnosed with polio. In a time when most kids were left paralyzed by polio, Randy promised his mom (Grandma Jean) that for Christmas he was going to walk for her. Just four months after the diagnosis, Randy walked for his mom on Christmas Day. That story is a testament to our father's bravery and strong character that he displayed his entire life. That strength of character and incredible intellect led to a successful academic career in science. At age 27 Randy earned a Doctorate of Science in Physics and Chemistry at the University of Utah. At that time he earned something even more special: his wife Helen Jean Terlecki. Together they would raise two boys and, in sickness and in health, they loved and cared for each other for four decades. With her support, Randy enjoyed a professional career as a chemist that allowed him to research scientific advancements for a new, changing world. Our mother's testimony of our father sums up the love we all had for that incredible man: "My amazing wonderful husband, my love, my life, my everything for over 44 years. Thank you for making my life so beautiful. My heart will ache with love for you always and I will think of you every minute of the day. You will always be my one and only and I will always be your loving Moogie." Although his life has ended, the memories of this remarkable man endure in the minds of his family and loved ones: his devoted wife, Helen Jean; his sons Christian Scott and Jason Rand (Renee Amanda); his nephews Don, Jeff (Tracey), Brad, Clint, and Todd (Jennifer) and their lovely kids and grandkids; and many more.Randy Ben Wright, husband, father, grandfather, scientist, died on April 29, 2016.