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Wright, Ralph E.

Wright, Ralph

Wright, Ralph E.

NOTE: UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM–

Graduated San Diego State University, 1965, degree in Music.

Taught junior high school music, 1965-66.

Awarded Masters in Music, 1968 (spent weekends at OSU in Stillwater doing the required research!)

Entered the Air Force OTS in September, 1967.  Upon graduation, assigned to Vance AFB for pilot training.

After pilot training, flew C-133s at Travis AFB, CA until late 1969, attaining Aircraft Commander just before departure.

1969-1970, Sheppard AFB, TX helicopter training for Viet Nam.

1970-71, Rescue Helicopters (HH-53), Williams AFB, AZ.

1971-72, Rescue Helicopters (HH-53), Ubon AB, Thailand.

1972, Air Traffic Control School, Keesler AFB, MS.

1972-1974, Chief of Air Traffic Control, Cannon AFB, NM.

1974-1977. Chief of Air Traffic Control, Beale AFB, CA. Flew executive jets out of McClellan AFB.

1977-1980, Chief of Air Traffic Control, RAF Bentwaters, England.

1980-1985, Pilot HH-53 Super Jolly Green, RAF Woodbridge, England.

1985-1987, Squadron Executive Officer, HH53, Super Jolly Green, McClellan AFB, CA.

October 31, 1987, Retired from the Air Force (retirement #1)

1987-2006, high school teacher of music, English and computers in Roseville, CA (retirement #2).

I married Donna on December 27, 1964.  We will celebrate our 54th anniversary this year (2018).  We have 2 daughters, Gretchen (Ryan) Roake, Portland, OR, and Heather (Dan) DeLoach, Orangevale, CA.  We’re blessed with 5 grandchildren ranging in age from 20 down to 12.  Throughout our lives in the Air Force and in teaching, we have been involved in music.  I have directed USAF Chapel Choirs, performed for the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, co-directed the Aldeburgh Music Club (formed by the composer Benjamin Britten), directed various church choirs, and in my third career have directed a 50 voice singing group in our development for the past 10 years.  Donna has actively sung in all those groups.  After being an Air Force wife for 21 years, Donna returned to the work force and finally retired as a staff member to two different legislators at the California State Capitol.  We are using our free time traveling with our favorite places being Branson, MO and Hawaii.  The main thing in retired life is to stay busy, and we are doing just that.

 

WRIGHT UPDATE:

I married Donna on December 27, 1964.  We celebrated our 60th anniversary in December 2024 and will celebrate our 83rd birthdays this summer (2025).  We have two daughters, Gretchen (Ryan) Roake, Milwaukie, OR, and Heather (Dan) DeLoach, Orangevale, CA.  We have 5 grandchildren ranging in age from 27 to 18.  Throughout our lives in the Air Force (1966-1987) and in teaching(1965-66 and 1987-2006), we have been involved in music.  I have directed USAF Chapel Choirs, performed for the Air Force Chief of Chaplains in Washington, DC, co-directed the Aldeburgh Music Club in England, directed various church choirs, and in my third and final career spending 10 years directing a 50 voice singing group in our development, retiring for the final time in 2021. 
After being an Air Force wife for 21 years, Donna returned to the work force and finally retired as a staff member to two different legislators at the California State Capital.  Now we use a lot of our free time in various activities in our development and traveling to our two favorite places, Branson MO and Hawaii.