Authors: Ben Ruhe
Date Submitted: November 30, 2003
Article Type: Journal

Ed Wright, of Clayton, California, who died last spring at the age of 59, was a devoted kiteflier and kitemaker. Known to many in the kite world from his appearances at national and international kite festivals, and in particular for the wonderful Parafoils he made with his devoted wife Bonnie, Wright had another significant impact on the sport of kiting. He was involved in brainstorming the Drachen Foundation, then served on its board of directors after the foundation’s incorporation in l994. He will be succeeded on the board by his wife.

Educated in accounting at the University of Hawaii, Wright was a long-time and widely- traveled employe of the federal government, first as an electronics expert with the U.S. Air Force, then with the Internal Revenue Service where he had an important role in moving the IRS into the world of computerization. He retired three years ago.

Wright became interested in kites when he saw stunters being flown in Hawaii in the early l980s. Quickly tiring of kites with sticks, he became an unofficial apprentice of Parafoil master George Ham of San Francisco and with wife Bonnie was soon specializing in making and flying Parafoils. “The no fuss, no muss kite that you pop out of a bag and fly anywhere appealed to Wright’s logical mind,” recalls Scott Skinner, a close friend and president of the Drachen Foundation. “Soon the Wrights were creating Parafoils of a refined design,” recalls Skinner. “Their ‘foils were characterized by a narrow profile and high flight angle—–perfect for beaches with high, steady winds. Fano, Denmark, was one such beach and it held a special appeal for Ed, who made four trips there. He loved the almost fanatic interest in kites of the Germans. He loved flying there. It was perfect for Parafoils because of the rock steady winds. He liked having a little house in the dunes to live in. It wasn’t roughing it, but it was different.”

PDF Link: Journal Issue