Dr. Robert Pratt Wight Jr.

Published 12:27 am Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Dr. Robert Pratt Wight Jr. passed away May 7, 2011, at his home after a long, three-year battle with brain cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Sara, and his two children, Robert Byron Wight and wife Federica Dal Bono and Alicia Wight Cole and husband Glenn Cole III. He also leaves behind three wonderful, lively grandsons, Robert Glenn Cole, Harrison Wight Cole and Alexander Dal Bono Wight.

Bob was born in Chevy Chase, Md., on May 2, 1937, to Robert Pratt Wight and Cecelia Hunt Wight. The family then moved to Cairo, Ga. Bob’s siblings, Louise (Hall) and Richard Wight, were both born in Cairo.

Bob was a diligent student, obtaining honors in school and also achieved Eagle Scout. Among the memories that he loved to share with family and friends about this time in his life was a trip he took in 1954 across the country with his best friends Kenneth “Buck” Leddick and Joe Hall. Bob treasured these friendships and others that he made and maintained throughout his life.

In 1955, Bob earned a full scholarship to Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. He became a brother at Phi Delta Theta following the legacy of his father and grandfather, also at Emory. After three years, he entered Emory’s School of Medicine. During medical school, Bob met and married Sara Ann Wilkerson, who shared his life for 48 years.

Bob left Emory after his internship to serve in the U.S. Air Force as a captain and medical officer in Germany. These were exciting and fulfilling years for Bob and Sara, and they left Germany in 1967 with their first child, Robert Byron Wight.

After serving as one of the prestigious cardiology fellows of Dr. Willis Hurst in Atlanta, Ga., the family relocated to Tifton, Ga., where Bob joined his friend and cardiology colleague, Dr Joe Turner, to form Tifton Medical Clinic. Alicia was born shortly prior to this move.

Bob spent many enjoyable years as one of the pioneers of internal medicine in South Georgia. He was passionate about advancing care and technology to this previously underserved area, and served a pivotal role in the growth of the practice as well as the town itself.

One of his most fulfilling accomplishments came years later when he and friend Dr. Steve Rigdon founded the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence. The Education Foundation was created to help support and grow the public schools in Tift County, support learning and provide enhanced education opportunities for teachers and students.

Bob was grateful in life to all of those who supported him and his passion to “make a difference” in his community. He was admired by many for his strong work ethic and sense of humor. He leaves behind a legacy of service and commitment to medicine and community.

He will be buried in Amelia Island, Fla., at The Amelia Island Plantation Chapel at 3p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011. All who wish to be part of this celebration of his life are welcome to attend. A reception will follow at the home of Bob and Sara.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations in Bob’s name to Emory University Medical School scholarship funding, ATTN: Rachel Donnelly, 1440 Clifton Road N.E., Suite 170, Atlanta, Ga. 30322 or to The Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center, P.O. Box 3624, Durham, N.C. 27710.

Please share his life story at www.oxleyheard.com. Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.