Great-grandfather, long-time, esteemed Claremont Colleges professor

Colin Wright died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday morning June 12, after a five-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 88 years old.

Colin was born in Hucknall, England on July 14, 1936, to Tom and Edith Wright, a coal miner and a factory worker. His parents emigrated to America in 1948, settling to Independence,  Missouri.

After graduating from William Chrisman High School in 1955 he served for two years on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Montana-Wyoming region. He then attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree with high honors, and received the school’s outstanding student in economics award in 1960. He then attended The University of Chicago, earning a master’s degree in 1962 and a Ph.D. in 1966.

He received many awards and fellowships as a result of his work, including Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society, Phi Sigma Alpha Honor Society (political science), Omicron Delta Epsilon Honor Society (economics), an Ingersoll Foundation Fellowship (1961–‘62), Earhart Foundation Fellowship (1961–‘62), Lilly Foundation Fellowship (1962–‘63), and Brookings Fellowship (1963–‘65, studies in federal taxation).

During his time at Chicago, he met the love of his life, Judith Campbell (Judy). They were married on November 17, 1962.

His first appointment was to Northwestern University, where he was a professor of economics from 1965 to 1972. The couple moved to Claremont in 1972, where he took a job as a professor of economics at Claremont Graduate School (now Claremont Graduate University) from 1972 to 1977. He was chairman of the economics department from 1975 to 1977 and the director of the Lincoln Institute from 1972 to 1976. He advanced to Claremont McKenna College in 1977 and became dean of the faculty and senior vice president until 1983, when he returned to teaching full time and was awarded the Berger Professor of Business and Society chair. He enjoyed teaching principles of economics, public policy classes and history of economic thought. His classes often had a strong emphasis on math and econometrics.

“Colin fondly referred to himself as Mr. Judy Wright, as many circles in Claremont outside of the college community only knew him as Judy’s husband,” his family shared. “He loved teaching and molding young minds, often employing the Socrates method in his classroom. He was an avid reader and enjoyed an impressive personal library. In both social and academic circles, he would often be the catalyst to lively debate and discussion on just about any topic. Professor Wright taught Economics for 53 years and is a testament to the adage that if you do something you love you never work a day in your life.”

Later in his life, “papa,” as his family called him, was active in his grandchildren’s lives, helping them with their homework, attending their school and sporting events, and taking them on many trips and fun adventures, making lifetime memories.

He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Edith Wright; sister, Christine Whitaker; and his wife Judy.

He is survived by his son, Campbell Wright, daughter-in-law, Danielle Wright; grandchildren Evan, Allison, Nicholas, Sean, and Danielle “Gigi”; and great-granddaughter Amelia James Wright, born January 21, 2022.

Mr. Wright will be laid to rest at Oak Park Cemetery, next to his wife. A private, family graveside service is planned.

A celebration of his life will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Woman’s Club of Claremont, 343 W. 12^th St. Please RSVP via email to fathofive@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, he requested donations be made to Claremont Heritage at claremontheritage.org, or by check to 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711.