Colonel Wright

Sun Prairie - Colonel Harvey A. Wright, Retired, of Lakeland, Florida and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, died April 5, 2013 at the age of 81. Harvey was born in Rudolph, WI on January 4, 1932 to Luther William and Cora Wright. He grew up near Neillsville, WI and later moved to Marshfield, WI. He married the former Joyce Sauer on June 4, 1949. In 1954 they moved to Plymouth, WI where he worked for the Kohler Company for eight years. In 1961 his National Guard unit was activated to Fort Lewis, Washington, during the Berlin Crises. When the unit returned to Wisconsin, Harvey chose to stay on active duty serving 32 years before retiring in 1981. His overseas assignments included two tours in Vietnam, a tour in Germany and one in Korea where he served as the Chief of Training for all U.S. Forces. His assignments in the United States included: Professor of Military Science at Saint Norbert College in De Pere, WI, Military Advisor to the Wisconsin National Guard at Truax Field in Madison and Infantry Company Commander at Fort Ord, CA. Harvey was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS and held a Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Florida at Tampa.

He is survived by his wife Joyce and his six Children Linda (Art) Carlson of Plainfield, IL; Vicki (Mike) Schulz of Cedarburg, WI; Allen of Tampa FL, Steven (CandE) of Coppell TX; Jeffrey (Kathy) of Weddington, NC; Lori (Greg ) Olthoff of Grand Haven MI. 15 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Patsy Schumacher of Waldo, WI.

Preceding him were his Parents, his Brother Floyd, and 5 Sisters, Neva Bach, Nettie Dickey, Fern Wachowiak, Lena Gaden, and Ruby Beck.
Also a Daughter Sandra Wright, a Granddaughter Jessica Wright, Great Granddaughter Chloe Harp and Son-in-Law, Keith Demars .

With his tours in Vietnam he received several awards including the Combat
Infantryman's Badge; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star for Valor with two oak leaf clusters; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/palm. He also received The Meritorious Service medal with oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation medal w/2 oak leaf clusters.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Retired Officers Association and the Knights of Columbus.

Harvey Loved America and proudly served his country. Anyone who knew him will miss his wit and contagious laughter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ALBERT THE GREAT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2420 St. Albert Drive, Sun Prairie on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 11:00 am with Monsignor Terrence Connors presiding. A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30 am until the time of Mass. Graveside services will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Plymouth, WI on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Harvey to the Salvation Army www.donate.salvationarmyusa.org , Highland Fairways Veteran's Association or to Highland Fairways Golf Association.
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