Robert Bright-Wildwood Historian

[wildre]

ROBERT BRIGHT, 96, WILDWOOD MUSEUM HISTORIAN

He will be missed.

BRIGHT, ROBERT CLAYTON 96 - of Wildwood, New Jersey passed away at home on May 7th with his family at his bedside. He was born in Wildwood in 1909. He attended the Wildwood Schools and Wenonah Military Academy. He married Millicent Henderson of Cape May in 1930. Robert served in World War II in the Army Corp. of Engineers and owned and operated Bright's Appliance Store and Allied Utilities in Wildwood, NJ. Robert served on the Wildwood Planning Board, worked in Real Estate in Wildwood, and most recently was the Historian for the City of Wildwood spending countless hours at the George F. Boyer Museum. He was a long-standing member of the Hereford Lodge and was their oldest living Past Master.

www.legacy.com/PressOfAtlanticCity/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=17707338

[Al Alven]

I am so saddened to hear this.

Mr. Bright loved the Wildwoods, perhaps more than anyone ever did.

And he was a wonderful man, very proud, always so helpful and accomodating to me.

I will miss him, and I'm sure countless others will as well.

Rest in peace, Mr. Bright.

You touched so many with your warmth, kindness and knowledge.

[MMM]

Wow, sorry to hear this. 96 is quite impressive, though of course it's never enough. He's an important part of Wildwood's history, and I hope he enjoyed his life. I hope he went peacefully...

[FlyinGN]

yes, we should all be so lucky to live to a great old age of 96. RIP Robert..

[thelastresort]

That's sad. I think it was he that I spoke with years ago (like maybe 1995) at the museum. He said he was the last person to ride the old roller coaster on schellinger before they tore it down. I remember he said that he was there on the morning of the demolition, and the guy in charge gave it one last run with him in it, then he said it came to a stop, and 5 minutes later they started taking out the tracks.

[homer]

This was Bob Bright the elder (Oliver Bright's son) that passed away.
Bob Bright, Jr. (Oliver Bright's grandson) is still at the Wildwood History Museum, as far as I know. (And would be delighted to see you all this summer, from what I hear...he loves to talk about Wildwood.)

Here's a photo (and caption) from the Smithsonian Magazine article, "Doo Wop by the Sea":


“Those old buildings were beautiful,” says local historian Bob Bright (right, with
son Bob Bright, Jr., and pal, Buddy) of Wildwoods’ earlier, Victorian architecture.

My condolences to Mr. Bright and his family.

[wildre]

Thanks homer, do you know if Buddy(the dog mascot) is still living? He was the official greeter for many years. I think he had one blue eye? I would often see Mr Bright, Sr sitting outside on Pacific with Buddy, but not recently?

re

[wildwanderer]

So sad to hear this. Mr. Bright was a great historian and wonderful person. I met with him and spent part of the day with him as he was the one who told me of my Great Uncle and Aunt who owned Sheer's Restaurant in Anglesea. He told me that he knew them when he was just a young lad all the way thru his teenagehood. He said he spent many a day at the restaurant. He even has a pic of my Great Uncle in the museum. I never knew what my uncle looked like and I wouldn't have known if it wasn't for Mr. Bright. He will be missed.

[JerseyDigger29]

wildre said:

Thanks homer, do you know if Buddy(the dog mascot) is still living? He was the official greeter for many years. I think he had one blue eye? I would often see Mr Bright, Sr sitting outside on Pacific with Buddy, but not recently?

re

Buddy is still running to the door every time soneone comes in the museum. He's a really good dog. Whenever I park out front, Buddy is waiting for me when I open the door. Mr. Bright, Jr. says that Buddy recognizes the sound of my car's engine.

Personal note: I went by the museum today at about a half hour before closing and found out it was closed. I don't know any details but I would guess that Mr. Bright has family matters to take care of. - Thom

[FlyinGN]

in that picture they look like brothers not Father and Son

[wildre]

Glad to hear Buddy is still greeting visitors. He is a great dog.