In Memory

Lorin Wright VIEW PROFILE

Lorin Wright

Lorin R. Wright

Aug 14, 2005

RED LODGE — Lorin R. Wright passed from this earth at sunrise on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005. At the time of his death, Lorin was surrounded by his wife, Barb, daughters, Dani and Heather, good friends, Don Jackson and Mark Amendola, his pastor, Reverend Kim Wilker, and the loving staff of Beartooth Hospital and Health Center in Red Lodge. In addition to his wife and daughters, Lorin is survived by his mother, Bessie Wright of Billings, his nephew, Sean Wright and his wife, Svenja and newborn son, Evan of Munich, Germany, as well as many relatives, friends, neighbors and physical therapy colleagues across Montana and around the country.

Lorin was born in Billings to Roderick and Bessie Wright on May 17, 1948. He was preceded in death by his father, Rod and brother, Ralph. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1966 and the University of Montana in 1970. He completed his professional education in physical therapy at the University of Pennsylvania in 1972. Returning to the mountain west that he loved, he accepted a position with the Gottsche Rehab Center in Thermopolis, Wyo., where he worked from 1972 to 1973. While there, he met his future wife, Barbara Leiper. They were married in Worland, Wyo., on Jan. 13, 1973. Over the next several years, Lorin worked between the Gottsche Rehab Center in Thermopolis and the Montana Center for Handicapped Children in Billings.

Lorin joined Jerry Connolly as a full partner in their physical therapy private practice, First Physical Therapy, in 1980. Lorin and his family moved to Red Lodge where he focused on services in the community that became his cherished home while Jerry did the same in Billings. The Red Lodge practice has been located in Beartooth Hospital and Health Center for the last several years. Lorin acquired the Red Lodge practice from First Physical Therapy in 1994 and sold it to Beartooth Hospital and Health Center in 1997. Since that time, Lorin has served as Director of Rehabilitation Services at the hospital. In 2002, the hospital recognized Lorin with the Karas Award for his years of outstanding service and leadership to the hospital and the community of Red Lodge. He continued to work faithfully up until the week before his death.

Lorin loved rodeo. The Beartooth Hospital and Health Center Sports Medicine Team, which Lorin organized, have volunteered to provide sports medicine services for the Home of Champions Rodeo, the Regional High School Rodeo in Red Lodge, Chase Hawks Rodeo in Billings and many others for the last decade and more. When a cowboy went down, he could count on Lorin to be at his side. The Sports Medicine Team also works with area high schools, providing services and conducting an annual coach's clinic.

Lorin was active in the Montana Physical Therapy Association and the American Physical Therapy Association where he was a leader, mentor and colleague to his many professional friends. In the spring of 2005, he received the President's Award from the Montana Physical Therapy Association, the organization's most prestigious award, for his years of dedication and leadership to the profession of physical therapy and the association. He served as president of that organization from 1989 to 1990, and received the Nora Staael-Evert Award for outstanding service in 1991. He received the Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award from the University of Montana in 1998.

Lorin was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Red Lodge and past president of the Church Council. He also served on the Parish Council. He was a member of Rotary International and past president of the Red Lodge Rotary Club. He was a member and past president of the Red Lodge Inquiry Club. He was also a member of the Red Lodge Flying Club and the Red Lodge Chapter of Duck's Unlimited.

Lorin was a gentle man. He loved his family and to spend time with them and his special friends.

He learned to fly fish and hunt as a child and cherished many opportunities to enjoy and perfect those skills throughout his adult life. He was a wise and compassionate man whose heart and doors were always open to his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Instead of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to the Beartooth Hospital and Health Center Foundation, Red Lodge, Montana 59068.

Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.



 
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05/27/16 12:22 PM #1    

David Jennison

Lorin, Roger Moore, Jeff Uhren and I had many fun times together. We participated in athletes together, went hunting and cruised town in my 37 Ford. Lorin and Jeff are both in my memories, putting a smile on my face as I recount the good times!!!!


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