Retired Hun Custodian Supervisor Arthur Houghton Wright H’14 passed away on Monday, March 6th. He served The Hun School for forty-nine years, from 1965 to 2014, making him one of the School’s longest-serving employees, and held many roles, including custodian, custodial supervisor, nighttime security, and assistant director of athletics support services. Mr. Wright was perhaps best known as the embodiment of Hun’s “joyful spirit” … and his long and low trademark whistle.

As part of the Maintenance Department, Mr. Wright helped to create a welcoming and comfortable campus, not only in the upkeep of the grounds and buildings, but in his affection for all members of the community. In a book created for his retirement, people wrote about his “warmth and friendliness” and how he went out of his way to make each person feel special, with “a kind word for everyone.” He forged many lasting relationships with students, colleagues, parents, and alums because of his outgoing personality and positive presence.

In Mr. Wright’s retirement book, John Place ’80 wrote that Mr. Wright was “one of the most important people ever associated with Hun. Arthur belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Hun School greats — Paul Chesebro, Jim Byer, Whip Buck, and Arthur Wright. Well done sir, your legacy will live on forever.”

His hard work and caring nature led the Edgerstounian staff to dedicate the 1981 and 2003 yearbooks to Mr. Wright. The 1981 issue called him “a friend to all” and “a man trusted and respected for his quiet wisdom, his gentle strength, and his total dependability.”

The School recognized Mr. Wright with the Meritorious Service Award for outstanding service in 1991, and again in 1995. In 2005, the School celebrated his fortieth anniversary of employment with a surprise all-School assembly for the Arthur Wright Day of Recognition, which included a tribute video and numerous testimonials read aloud by students.

“Arthur was a warming comfort to so many who passed these hallways and grounds,” says J. Michael Chaykowsky ’80, Hun’s director of operations, who knew Mr. Wright from his school days and then as a colleague. He adds that Mr. Wright had a knack for identifying students who needed a boost. “A few carefully selected [words of kindness] from Arthur had an immediate and lasting effect. So many have returned and talked about Arthur’s weighty influence on them. His wisdom is his legacy.”

In 2009, Mr. Wright was named an honorary alum and was recognized not just for his service to the School, but to those outside the School. He often collected clothing and food to give to those experiencing difficult times, and shared that with others not for praise or recognition, but simply to remind others that they, too, can make a difference in another person’s life.

Upon Mr. Wright’s retirement in 2014, a bench overlooking the athletic fields — he once oversaw the athletic center and worked closely with athletic staff — was dedicated in his honor, making him forever part of campus. Six years later, the Class of 1980 established the Holmes, Jacobs, and Wright Endowed Scholarship in honor of Fred “Bobo” Holmes, Edwin “Jake” Jacobs, and Arthur Wright H’14 to celebrate the impact the trio had made on the Hun community. It is awarded annually to a qualified Black student with demonstrated financial need.

Mr. Wright is survived by his daughters Tracy and Lawonza; his sons William, David, and Daniel; and numerous other family and friends.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 11th, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with a celebration of life following at 11:00 a.m. at Centreville United Methodist Church, 608 Churchill Road, Centreville, MD 21617. The service will be streamed at https://henryfh.com/. Condolences may be sent to PO Box 44, Queenstown, MD 21658-1307 or Trayrite@gmail.com.