Richard Wright Christian |
| Posted 2009-09-08 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Oct. 18, 2006, B12 Richard Wright Christian of West Seneca, N.Y., a retired reporter for the Buffalo News, died Sept. 27 in Hospice Buffalo Cheektowaga. He was 67. Mr. Christian began working for the Buffalo Evening News in 1966 and was long-time editor of NewsPower, a reader service column. He received awards for a series on consumer affairs in 1979; the year before, he received the Corning Glass Award as Action Line Editor of the Year. He had served as president of the Buffalo Newspaper Guild in the 1980s and retired from the paper in 2000. In the early 1960s, Mr. Christian was owner and publisher of IPA Publishing in California, operating the Sausalito and Vacaville Sentinel newspapers. During that time, he was ghostwriter of “Lady of the House,” which was published in 1966. The book, about a San Francisco madam who became the mayor of Sausalito, was produced as a made-for-television movie with Dyan Cannon in the lead role in 1978. An Army veteran, he was a graduate of military police school and served in Frankfurt, Germany. Richard (Dick) and his wife Judy retired to Wickenburg in 2001. Both were active in community affairs. Dick was a member of the American Legion Post 12, where he served a short term as Post Commander. He was instrumental in obtaining a grant from the Wellik Foundation for the purchase of the American Legion transportation van. Richard held the post of “Garde de la porte” with the 40 et 8 and both Dick and Judy were actively involved with fundraising activities with this organization. Dick and Judy were also members of the Hassayampa River Yacht Club, working tirelessly to raise money for Cops Who Care and other Yacht Club activities organized to assist folks within the community in times of need. Dick and Judy contributed much to this community and were loved by all who they met. In appreciation, they were made lifetime members of the Hassayampa River Yacht Club and will never be forgotten. Upon their return to Buffalo this past spring to fulfill family obligations, Richard was diagnosed with terminal cancer and succumbed shortly thereafter. Survivors include his wife, the former Judith Wiesbeck, son Richard W. II, brother Robert W. Wright, step-sons Terry, Ricky and Timothy Gallagher, step-daughters Dawn Wilson, Judy Troidl and Sandra Porpora. Services were held in West Seneca on Oct. 10. Donations in his memory may be made to the Hospice Foundation, 225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY 14227. |
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