Member Profile: Ray Wright

RSVP volunteer Ray Wright has an illustrious resume. As a young man, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers. He then went on to become a professor of geology for 14 years in places as diverse as Wisconsin and Costa Rica, and spent two years at a research center in Argentina.

He retired from ExxonMobil in Houston as a researcher and strategic planner after 18 years in 1999, when he and his wife Cynthia, who also has a Ph.D. in geology, moved to San Francisco.

“Retired” is probably not the operative word here, however. At 67, Wright has joined the ranks of those who take on new and satisfying work later in life. But he’s not drawing a salary; instead, he has found a job that he loves and where he volunteers his time 25 hours each week to prove it.

This arrangement started when Wright visited the Exploratorium, the city’s world-famous museum of science, art and human perception. As a scientist, he was drawn by its reputation and its “learning through inquiry” approach. Within a few months, he became a volunteer there — and eight years later he is still going strong. “I knew that I wanted to spend my retirement life using my skills…to help promote science education and literacy. The Exploratorium offered that opportunity in spades,” says Wright.

Bringing his professional knowledge with him, Wright has done a variety of behind-the-scenes tasks. He’s worked on everything from interpretation of complex data to an analysis of how visitors used a key exhibit at the museum before and after a number of changes had been made in the design.

Sue Allen, Manager of Visitor Research for the Exploratorium, says: “Wherever he settles, he quickly generates corridor conversations that are a mix of awe and reverence. ‘Have you seen this report?’ someone will say. ‘It’s full of great info about our audience, and it’s right up to date.’” Allen adds, “Ray is an excellent communicator, a delightful and good-humored colleague, and an incredible gift to this organization.”

How to Plan for the Future
Volunteering among older adults is almost 40% higher than it was in 1989. Ray Wright, who started volunteering through ExxonMobil, gives this advice to those who are thinking about community service:

“I would advise someone still working to begin planning years before
retirement. Ask yourself what you like to do. What do you want to
accomplish? What gives you pleasure and how can you maintain that pleasure
and expand on it? Take your time in all this cogitation, and by the time
you retire you will be well prepared for your next career.”

Michael Collins, RSVP Administrator, adds that prospective retirees are encouraged to ask themselves: “Will I want to continue to do what I’ve done before or try something new? Will I prefer to work with people or alone? What time commitment am I willing to make (one-time events like fundraising walks or runs, or regular, weekly assignments)? And what do I want to get out of the experience?”

Ray Wright has already asked those questions and is indeed very pleased with the answers that led him straight to the Exploratorium and his amazing contribution to the San Francisco community.

To find out about volunteer opportunities at the Exploratorium, call Barbara
Marré at RSVP, (415) 731-3335, or visit our website at www.rsvpsf.org.