Harold G. Wright, 91

Blair Builder

Harold G. Wright, 91, of Blair, died Sunday, March 18, 2012.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 22, at the First United Methodist Church in Blair.

Harold G. Wright was born October 9, 1920, in Otho, Iowa, to William Henry and E. Maude (George) Wright.

He attended public school in Lake Park and graduated from East High School in Sioux City, Iowa. He continued his education at Morningside College in Sioux City, during which time he was a bassoonist for the Sioux City and Lincoln Symphonies.

In November 1942, he married Dorothy Jones, a Morningside music graduate. He pursued a career in general contracting, first with Jensen & Craig Contractors of Sioux City. In 1949 he joined Korshoj Construction Company in Blair, later becoming a partner in the firm. He served as president of the Associated General Contractors of Nebraska in 1972. Upon the death of partner Simon Korshoj he formed the Harold G. Wright Company, general contractors. During his construction career he led the construction of many familiar structures in Blair, including churches, public works, and many buildings on the campus of Dana College.

From 1960 to 1964, he distinguished himself as a landscape and architectural photographer. He was named Nebraska Photographer of the Year in 1964 by the Nebraska Professional Photographers’ Association.

After retiring, Mr. Wright took up race-walking and competed in the Masters’ category in U.S. and international races. In 1987 and 1988, he won competitions in the United States and Australia in the 5K, 10K and 20K distances, setting a record in his age bracket for the 20K in 1988. These wins earned him the “Outstanding American Race Walker” award from the Athletic Congress Masters Track and Field Committee in 1988.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his three daughters, Mary Beth Frieden, Susan Pickett and Barbara Wright; four grandchildren: Charles Frieden, Katherine (Pickett) Bevins, Harold Frieden and Mollie (Pickett) Shriver; and five great-grandchildren; one sister Dorothy Steinkamp; and eight nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by one brother, William Henry Wright Jr.

Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s research, Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or for the Danish American Archive and Library in Blair.

#2 Printed in the March 20, 2012 Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, Nebraska

Wright, Harold G., age 91

Blair, NE. Survived by wife Dorothy; daughters, Mary Beth Frieden of Blair, Susan C. Pickett of Omaha, and Barbara J. Wright of Blair; 4 grandchildren, Charles and Harold Frieden, Katherine Bevins, and Mollie Shriver; 5 great-grandchildren; and sister Dorothy Steinkamp of Rockford, IL.

Services will be 11am Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Blair. Burial will follow in the Blair Cemetery. No Visitation will be held.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE 402-426-2191

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Find a Grave #120313916