The Death Of The Wright Brothers And The Creation Of Their Memorial

The death of the Wright Brothers happened years apart.  Neither brother married or had children.  In fact, Wilbur was convinced that he could not have a wife and be involved in flying at the same time.  He felt it would have been too much.  Since he loved to fly, he felt he wouldn’t have time for a spouse, let alone a family. 

In April 1912, Wilbur went on a trip to Boston.  After her returned to Dayton, he became ill.  He had been diagnosed with typhoid fever.  Wilbur never recovered and he passed away on May 30 in the family home.  His father wrote in a diary that even though his son had a temper, he felt the need to rely on himself to get things done. 

After the death of Wilbur Wright, his brother Orville was named president of the family company.  Even with that, Orville decided to put the company up for sale.  He felt that like his brother, that he was not cut out for business as an executive type person.

Orville Wright continued piloting until the year 1918.  He also decided to retire and staying involved in aviation.  He joined various aeronautics committees.  In 1926, his sister Katharine married a classmate from college.  Orville was so against it that he did not attend the wedding.  His sister had been the backbone of the Wright family as the spokesperson. 

However, that disappeared after she got married.  Orville always depended on her to go out in public and do what needed to be done.  With her married, that changed things and this was something he was not ready for. 

A few years after she married, Katharine became ill.  Orville knew about her illness but still refused to see her.  It took another brother, Lorin, to intervene.  He finally went to visit her right before she passed away on March 3, 1929.  

Orville flew in a plane as a passenger in the 1940s.  In 1948, Orville Wright passed away after having a second heart attack.  After the death of the Wright Brothers, they were buried in Dayton, Ohio.

After the deaths of the Wright Brothers, a memorial was built to honor them for their love and dedication to flying.  The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.  This memorial celebrates the brothers’ initial flights in aircraft that was able to hold humans. 

There is a replica of the two wooden sheds that represent their airline hangar and where the Wright Brothers lived.  The Visitor Center contains the items that were used by the Wright Brothers during the flying excursions. 

In one area, there is a model of the 1902 glider.  A monument that measures about 60 feet sits on top of Kill Devil Hill.  This monument explains the feats of flying that the Wright Brothers did. 

The memorial was dedicated on November 14, 1932.  A lot of people were expected to show up, but only a handful attended.  This was probably because of the inclement weather, which included thunderstorms and winds. 

One of the most recent celebrations at the memorial happened on December 17, 2003.  The celebration was for the Centennial of Flight.  At this celebration there were several dignitaries there, including actor John Travolta and President George W. Bush.