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DR. RICHARD J. WRIGHT April 19, 1935 - September 17, 1986 It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Rick Wright, Great Lakes Historian, and Director of the Institute for Great Lakes Research at Bowling Green, Ohio. He not only had the opportunity to sail the lakes as a coal passer and fireman, but he also documented and photographed a great number of lake boats and salties. Rick was an aggressive historian who knew no boundaries when it came to preserving the heritage of the Great Lakes. His charm and good nature could open doors, some after many years of correspondence or visits, both in the marine industry and among boat buffs. He was tireless in his attempts to locate, photograph, acquire, buy, or receive a donation that would be ear-marked for a public repository. He saved for posterity many pieces of Great Lakes history that might otherwise have been lost forever. Fifteen years ago he began to publish Lake Log Chips, a newsletter that kept the marine community and boat buffs informed as to the present state of activity of the Great Lakes. The newsletter and news recorded maritime history as his "spies" faithfully sent in newspaper clippings and news. Both he and his newsletter were well known around the lakes. On one of his "foraging expeditions" we turned down Fish House Lane, a small dirt road near Little Suamico on Lake Michigan in the hopes of photographing a couple of fish tugs. There were a couple of tugs tied to the dock, and Rick asked the two men there for permission to photograph them. The conversation eventually got around to where Rick was from, and as it turned out, they were members of his 'fan club.' being regular Chips subscribers. Rick's only comment was that he was surprised that they did not recognize him when he first drove up! So that the work of the Institute for Great Lakes Research can go forward according to Dr. Wright's plans and wishes, The Richard J. Wright Memorial Fund has been set up in the Bowling Green State University Foundation. Tax-deductible donations, marked for the Richard J. Wright Memorial Fund and made payable to the B.G.S.U. Foundation, may be sent to the Foundation, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403. Unless otherwise requested, contributors will be acknowledged in Lake Log Chips.