Captain Richard Taliaferro Wright, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Captain Richard "Dick" Taliaferro Wright, U.S. Navy (Ret.), 90, husband of Elizabeth Maybank Guerard Wright died peacefully Monday, September 5, 2022 in Charleston, SC.  His funeral service will be held graveside Monday, September 12, 2022 in Magnolia Cemetery, 70 Cunnington Avenue at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.

Dick was born in Hankow, China, on February 6, 1932, the son of the late Elijah Benjamin Wright and Christian Alice Logan Wright.  His father worked for Citizens Bank of New York in the 1920s and ‘30s in China; his mother’s father, Captain George C. Logan USN, served in China in the 1920s and ‘30s.  Dick grew up in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, NY, graduating from West Side School and then Phillips Exeter Academy in 1949.  He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1953, where he was an All-American lacrosse player. Dick was the highest scorer his first class year and was awarded the Lacrosse Cup for contributing the most to the success of the 1953 team.  

Following graduation, he reported to the U.S.S. Baltimore (CA 68) and upon completion of Submarine School, Dick reported to the U.S.S. Atule (SS 403) based in New London, CT in 1956. He then spent the next 20 years as an active duty submarine officer, serving next on the U.S.S. Pickerel (SS 524) out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 
 
Dick met his future wife, Anne Ruth Talcott, at Chippewa Bay, NY in 1956 and they were married the next year.  He joined the U.S.S. Patrick Henry (SSBN 599) as the Missile Officer. From 1960 to 1970, Dick spent nearly half his time on Fleet Ballistic Missile patrols.  After Nuclear Power School, he joined the U.S.S. Ben Franklin (SSBN 640) as the Executive Officer. Dick took command of the U.S.S. James Monroe (SSBN 622) Blue Crew from 1967-70.  He spent the next ten years on senior staff, as the Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Milwaukee (AOR 2) and as a student and instructor at the U.S. Naval War College.  

Dick married Dr. Anne Bingham Pierson in 1978 and retired in 1980 in Old Lyme, Connecticut.  He spent the next 15 years working for Sonalysts, serving as a consultant directly supporting the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Force.  After his second retirement, Dick moved back “home” to Charleston, SC, where he spent the remainder of his life devoted to his family, classmates, teammates, shipmates and friends.  

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Elizabeth; son, Major Benjamin Taliaferro Wright, USMC Reserve (Rebecca); two daughters: Christian Logan Wright (William Rashbaum) and Elizabeth Talcott Wempe (Ken); six grandchildren: Sarah L. Kirkpatrick (Colton) James R. Wright, George E. L. Wright, Marion J. Wright, Clara L. Wempe, and Henry H.F. Wempe; and one great-grandson, Wyatt L. Kirkpatrick. Additional survivors include Libby's children: Elizabeth G. Parker (Donald), Anne G. Coletta (Paul), Russell B. Guerard (Tara), and their families. 

Memorials may be made to Save the River, 409 Riverside Drive, Clayton, New York 13624.