Robert Dean Bright, O.P., age 83, of Madison, Wisconsin, died of liver cancer on May 19, 2021. Bob was born in Chicago on December 4, 1937 to Albert and Lillian (Floeter) Bright. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1956. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he met the love of his life, Mary Kay Murphy. They married in Wichita, Kansas on August 11, 1962.
Bob continued his education at St. Louis University and completed his Master's degree at Boston College. In 1965 the Brights moved to Madison, where Bob began work at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. What was supposed to be a one-year stint in Madison turned into a 56-year stay in the area.
Bob spent over 30 years teaching for the University of Wisconsin Extension, principally in the Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development Program. He was a faculty member for the Center for Action on Poverty, the Center for Community Leadership Development and the Community Dynamic Institute. He also became Director of the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth and served as Acting Director in the Chancellor's Office of Affirmative Action.
His work took him to Native American reservations, migrant camps, prisons and many non-governmental organizations and municipalities across the state. He worked to build a relationship with each of the ten Native American reservations in Wisconsin to assist them in determining the social change objectives of each specific tribe. During his time at the Center for Action on Poverty, the main philosophy was working on behalf of the least, last and lost. In the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth encouragement and support were given to disenfranchised students so they could earn high school diplomas.
Bob co-conducted over 60 retreats for villages and cities around the state, working to revitalize their main streets. He also worked in several states for President Bush's (forty one) and President Clinton's National Rural Economic Development Institute. International projects took him to China, the Philippines, Brazil and repeated trips to Thailand.
Bob was honored and received numerous awards for his leadership and mentoring roles in the field of Community Development. Upon retirement he received the distinction of Professor Emeritus.
Activism and volunteering over many years stemmed from Bob's religious convictions and interest in peace and social justice. In the early 1970's he was Chair of the United Migrant Opportunity Services of Wisconsin. With the help of fellow parishioners at St. Maria Goretti, thirty migrant families living in Texas were able to settle in Madison and found steady employment and education opportunities. While living in the Village of Oregon for twenty five years, Bob helped establish the Oregon/Brooklyn Food Pantry which continues to operate with volunteers from the four local churches. He was instrumental in organizing the first Dane County branch of Habitat for Humanity.
After retiring Bob treasured more time available for volunteering, including a new storage unit project for St. Vincent De Paul and a new program at St. Mary's Hospital called No One Dies Alone. He joined the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters as an Associate and also joined the Lay Dominican Order of Preachers (O.P.). The Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahmic Religions brought Bob joy through visiting with Christians, Jews and Muslims in each others' homes.
Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Kay, their children, Laura, Michael, Lisa (Mike Unger), Jenny and grandchildren, Kaela, Joshua, Sam Bright, Nicole and Natalie Unger. He is also survived by a brother, Bill (Susie) and a sister, Lois Johnson.
Bob lived a happy, full and productive life with family, friends and faith always at the center of his thoughts and actions. His lifelong dedication to peace and social justice issues touched many lives.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
Bob continued his education at St. Louis University and completed his Master's degree at Boston College. In 1965 the Brights moved to Madison, where Bob began work at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. What was supposed to be a one-year stint in Madison turned into a 56-year stay in the area.
Bob spent over 30 years teaching for the University of Wisconsin Extension, principally in the Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development Program. He was a faculty member for the Center for Action on Poverty, the Center for Community Leadership Development and the Community Dynamic Institute. He also became Director of the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth and served as Acting Director in the Chancellor's Office of Affirmative Action.
His work took him to Native American reservations, migrant camps, prisons and many non-governmental organizations and municipalities across the state. He worked to build a relationship with each of the ten Native American reservations in Wisconsin to assist them in determining the social change objectives of each specific tribe. During his time at the Center for Action on Poverty, the main philosophy was working on behalf of the least, last and lost. In the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth encouragement and support were given to disenfranchised students so they could earn high school diplomas.
Bob co-conducted over 60 retreats for villages and cities around the state, working to revitalize their main streets. He also worked in several states for President Bush's (forty one) and President Clinton's National Rural Economic Development Institute. International projects took him to China, the Philippines, Brazil and repeated trips to Thailand.
Bob was honored and received numerous awards for his leadership and mentoring roles in the field of Community Development. Upon retirement he received the distinction of Professor Emeritus.
Activism and volunteering over many years stemmed from Bob's religious convictions and interest in peace and social justice. In the early 1970's he was Chair of the United Migrant Opportunity Services of Wisconsin. With the help of fellow parishioners at St. Maria Goretti, thirty migrant families living in Texas were able to settle in Madison and found steady employment and education opportunities. While living in the Village of Oregon for twenty five years, Bob helped establish the Oregon/Brooklyn Food Pantry which continues to operate with volunteers from the four local churches. He was instrumental in organizing the first Dane County branch of Habitat for Humanity.
After retiring Bob treasured more time available for volunteering, including a new storage unit project for St. Vincent De Paul and a new program at St. Mary's Hospital called No One Dies Alone. He joined the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters as an Associate and also joined the Lay Dominican Order of Preachers (O.P.). The Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahmic Religions brought Bob joy through visiting with Christians, Jews and Muslims in each others' homes.
Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Kay, their children, Laura, Michael, Lisa (Mike Unger), Jenny and grandchildren, Kaela, Joshua, Sam Bright, Nicole and Natalie Unger. He is also survived by a brother, Bill (Susie) and a sister, Lois Johnson.
Bob lived a happy, full and productive life with family, friends and faith always at the center of his thoughts and actions. His lifelong dedication to peace and social justice issues touched many lives.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
Robert Dean Bright, O.P., age 83, of Madison, Wisconsin, died of liver cancer on May 19, 2021. Bob was born in Chicago on December 4, 1937 to Albert and Lillian (Floeter) Bright. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1956. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he met the love of his life, Mary Kay Murphy. They married in Wichita, Kansas on August 11, 1962.
Bob continued his education at St. Louis University and completed his Master's degree at Boston College. In 1965 the Brights moved to Madison, where Bob began work at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. What was supposed to be a one-year stint in Madison turned into a 56-year stay in the area.
Bob spent over 30 years teaching for the University of Wisconsin Extension, principally in the Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development Program. He was a faculty member for the Center for Action on Poverty, the Center for Community Leadership Development and the Community Dynamic Institute. He also became Director of the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth and served as Acting Director in the Chancellor's Office of Affirmative Action.
His work took him to Native American reservations, migrant camps, prisons and many non-governmental organizations and municipalities across the state. He worked to build a relationship with each of the ten Native American reservations in Wisconsin to assist them in determining the social change objectives of each specific tribe. During his time at the Center for Action on Poverty, the main philosophy was working on behalf of the least, last and lost. In the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth encouragement and support were given to disenfranchised students so they could earn high school diplomas.
Bob co-conducted over 60 retreats for villages and cities around the state, working to revitalize their main streets. He also worked in several states for President Bush's (forty one) and President Clinton's National Rural Economic Development Institute. International projects took him to China, the Philippines, Brazil and repeated trips to Thailand.
Bob was honored and received numerous awards for his leadership and mentoring roles in the field of Community Development. Upon retirement he received the distinction of Professor Emeritus.
Activism and volunteering over many years stemmed from Bob's religious convictions and interest in peace and social justice. In the early 1970's he was Chair of the United Migrant Opportunity Services of Wisconsin. With the help of fellow parishioners at St. Maria Goretti, thirty migrant families living in Texas were able to settle in Madison and found steady employment and education opportunities. While living in the Village of Oregon for twenty five years, Bob helped establish the Oregon/Brooklyn Food Pantry which continues to operate with volunteers from the four local churches. He was instrumental in organizing the first Dane County branch of Habitat for Humanity.
After retiring Bob treasured more time available for volunteering, including a new storage unit project for St. Vincent De Paul and a new program at St. Mary's Hospital called No One Dies Alone. He joined the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters as an Associate and also joined the Lay Dominican Order of Preachers (O.P.). The Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahmic Religions brought Bob joy through visiting with Christians, Jews and Muslims in each others' homes.
Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Kay, their children, Laura, Michael, Lisa (Mike Unger), Jenny and grandchildren, Kaela, Joshua, Sam Bright, Nicole and Natalie Unger. He is also survived by a brother, Bill (Susie) and a sister, Lois Johnson.
Bob lived a happy, full and productive life with family, friends and faith always at the center of his thoughts and actions. His lifelong dedication to peace and social justice issues touched many lives.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
Bob continued his education at St. Louis University and completed his Master's degree at Boston College. In 1965 the Brights moved to Madison, where Bob began work at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. What was supposed to be a one-year stint in Madison turned into a 56-year stay in the area.
Bob spent over 30 years teaching for the University of Wisconsin Extension, principally in the Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development Program. He was a faculty member for the Center for Action on Poverty, the Center for Community Leadership Development and the Community Dynamic Institute. He also became Director of the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth and served as Acting Director in the Chancellor's Office of Affirmative Action.
His work took him to Native American reservations, migrant camps, prisons and many non-governmental organizations and municipalities across the state. He worked to build a relationship with each of the ten Native American reservations in Wisconsin to assist them in determining the social change objectives of each specific tribe. During his time at the Center for Action on Poverty, the main philosophy was working on behalf of the least, last and lost. In the High School Equivalency Program for Migrant Youth encouragement and support were given to disenfranchised students so they could earn high school diplomas.
Bob co-conducted over 60 retreats for villages and cities around the state, working to revitalize their main streets. He also worked in several states for President Bush's (forty one) and President Clinton's National Rural Economic Development Institute. International projects took him to China, the Philippines, Brazil and repeated trips to Thailand.
Bob was honored and received numerous awards for his leadership and mentoring roles in the field of Community Development. Upon retirement he received the distinction of Professor Emeritus.
Activism and volunteering over many years stemmed from Bob's religious convictions and interest in peace and social justice. In the early 1970's he was Chair of the United Migrant Opportunity Services of Wisconsin. With the help of fellow parishioners at St. Maria Goretti, thirty migrant families living in Texas were able to settle in Madison and found steady employment and education opportunities. While living in the Village of Oregon for twenty five years, Bob helped establish the Oregon/Brooklyn Food Pantry which continues to operate with volunteers from the four local churches. He was instrumental in organizing the first Dane County branch of Habitat for Humanity.
After retiring Bob treasured more time available for volunteering, including a new storage unit project for St. Vincent De Paul and a new program at St. Mary's Hospital called No One Dies Alone. He joined the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters as an Associate and also joined the Lay Dominican Order of Preachers (O.P.). The Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahmic Religions brought Bob joy through visiting with Christians, Jews and Muslims in each others' homes.
Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Kay, their children, Laura, Michael, Lisa (Mike Unger), Jenny and grandchildren, Kaela, Joshua, Sam Bright, Nicole and Natalie Unger. He is also survived by a brother, Bill (Susie) and a sister, Lois Johnson.
Bob lived a happy, full and productive life with family, friends and faith always at the center of his thoughts and actions. His lifelong dedication to peace and social justice issues touched many lives.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
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