Melvin L. Wright, Ed.D.

Melvin L. Wright was born on August 5, 1923, in Denver, Colorado to Robert Vernon and Nettie Mae Wallace Wright.  He was the youngest of three brothers.  Melvin was educated in the Denver Public Schools:  Park Hill Grade School, Aaron Gove Junior High School, and East High School. At an early age, he was baptized a Christian and joined Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church.  One of the men in the church who influenced him greatly was Emil (Chick) Lambotte, the leader of the Spartan Bible Class.

After graduating high school, Melvin enrolled at Colorado State College of Education and joined the Phi Delta Pi fraternity.  Melvin's time at Colorado State was interrupted by World War II, while Melvin served in the U.S. Army Air Force from April 1943 to February 1946.  After completing his military service, Melvin returned to Colorado State College of Education and, during a sorority tea, met his true love, Elizabeth (Bets) Hansen.  Mel and Bets were married on March 27, 1949, at the Methodist Church in Cheraw, Colorado.  Both completed their bachelor's degrees at Colorado State College of Education, followed by master's degrees at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.  Melvin later earned a Doctor of Education degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in the City of New York.  Equally important to Melvin, Bets earned her Doctor of Education Degree from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

After receiving his Doctorate and having been inspired by many outstanding teachers during his own education, Dr. Wright became a teacher and taught students at the high school, community college, and at the university level.  At San Bernardino Valley College he was privileged to serve as a teacher, counselor, department head, division chair, and grant writer for various educational projects, along with other duties. Dr. Wright retired as a professor emeritus from San Bernardino Community College in San Bernardino, California in 1987.

Melvin and Elizabeth were blessed to have four children: Kristi Anderson Wright, Susan Wright Castillo, George Wright, and Melvin Wright; six grandchildren: Lauren Castro and Todd Anderson, Evan and Erik Castillo, Peter Wright, and Stephanie Pongracz; and two great-grandchildren:  Soren and Peter Jorgen Pongracz.

During his educational career, Melvin was active in several professional organizations and youth groups, including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, church groups, etc.  He was a 30-year member and past president of the Rotary Club of San Bernardino North.  In 1994, Mel and Bets retired to Lompoc, California where they were active members of the First Presbyterian Church. Melvin served as a church elder, treasurer, and member of the finance committee.  Later, Melvin and Bets became members of the First United Methodist Church of Lompoc where Melvin served for many years on the finance committee.  In Lompoc, Melvin discovered his love of golf and continued learning and loving the game the rest of his life.  A model retiree, Melvin's interests were varied, including Computers, woodworking, Bible study, reading, and bicycling.

Melvin loved his family and delighted in seeing them as often as possible. He will surely be missed.

A graveside burial will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 9:30 am.