Robert William Wright, 81, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away on September 11, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with Deacon Ron Wackerlin, officiating. Full military rights will be conducted by the American Legion Post 33 Veterans Group Honor Guard at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held from 2 until the time of service at the funeral Home.
Robert was born on May 30, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, to Ann Zakrzewski (née Sandow) and Robert William Wright Sr.
A proud veteran, Bob served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, including active combat service during the Vietnam War. His service as a Marine and a veteran remained an important source of pride throughout his life.
Bob married his wife, Diana Wright, in March 1980. He was the father of William Wright, Darlene (Jason) Hess, and Elizabeth Wright, and the proud grandfather of Ellie Hess, Winnie Hess, and Elijah Wright. He loved being a grandfather and took pride in watching his family grow into another generation.
Bob was truly one of a kind, with a big personality and an unmistakable presence. He was strong, proud, and unapologetically old-school. He believed in keeping his word, working hard, and would help anyone needing a hand. He brought those same values to raising his children.
Bob was self-employed in the telecommunications industry for more than 30 years, building a career that suited his self-driven and independent nature.
He was famous for his dad jokes, corny sayings, and stories; he never let brevity get in the way of a good story. He could recount with impressive detail the adventures of his childhood and his wilder adolescent years. Even though his family heard those stories many, many times, they will miss hearing them anyway.
Bob came from a large family, the only boy in a family of six sisters, whom he loved deeply. He enjoyed family gatherings around the kitchen table with a deck of cards and a pile of quarters. He also enjoyed fishing, antiques, true crime television, card games, and trying his luck at the slot machines at the casino.
Later in life, he was blessed to reconnect with his childhood friend, Frank Bonerigo, renewing a friendship that meant a great deal to him. During his final months, Bob was also blessed to form
a meaningful friendship with Deacon Ron Wackerlin, who baptized him into the Catholic faith just days before his passing.
Bob is survived by his wife, Diana; his children, William, Darlene (Jason), and Elizabeth; his grandchildren, Ellie, Winnie, and Elijah; his sisters Joan Parker, Louise O’Donnell, Cindy Zakrzewski, Donna Cotini, Sandra Kresen, and Barbara Mork; along with dozens of nieces and nephews and many extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved brother-in-law, Raymond Parker. We take solace in knowing that he is now in the arms of those whom he deeply missed for many years.
Bob was not a man easily forgotten. He loved his family in the way he knew best: by showing up, providing, and teaching. His family will miss his stories, his jokes, his advice, his larger-than-life personality, and all the little sayings that could only have come from him. “Tell ’em where ya got it,” Dad.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433.