RL "Bob" Morgan
Father, husband, brother, friend and soccer fan
Everyone is invited to share their memories and impressions of Bob
Click on the picture to enlarge it
Please contact gettes at cmu.edu
to contribute your memories and thoughts of Bob
Obituary in Seattle Times
University of Washington Announcement
Tribute web site for Bob's Professional Life
A Memorial (archived) was held Sunday, July 29, 2012
The Morgan family asks those interested in making a donation to the college educations of Bob and Eve's daughters Annika and Julia to send a check made out to "Bob Morgan Kids College Fund". Be sure to include the account #6027180 on the check in the memo section.
Mail a check to:
WSECU
PO Box WSECU
Olympia, WA 98507
WSECU
PO Box WSECU
Olympia, WA 98507
or you can mail a check directly to Eve Perara at:
Department of Chemistry
Attention: Eve Perara
University of Washington
Box 351700
Seattle, WA 98195-1700
Alternatively, you can make a donation to the Mercy Corps
in the name of RL "Bob" Morgan by checking "This gift is in honor or memory of someone".
in the name of RL "Bob" Morgan by checking "This gift is in honor or memory of someone".
Dad's Time Line created by Annika Morgan, July 18, 2012
A Memorial was held Sunday, July 29, 2012, 11am Pacific Time
at the Walker-Ames Room (Kane 225) on University of Washington Campus.
A pot-luck open house was held at the Morgan family home following the memorial.
at the Walker-Ames Room (Kane 225) on University of Washington Campus.
A pot-luck open house was held at the Morgan family home following the memorial.
22 Comments
Anonymous
At any given family event one of the first questions asked by my family.... Will Uncle Bob be there? Loved this guy so much. He was funny in a non assuming way, kind, and always made things more fun when he was around. I will miss him alot.
Anonymous
Most of my childhood memories of Bob have him coined as a sort of demonized antagonist. In the Perara children's favorite game, poignantly named "Dogs", Bob played the role of the evil "Dog Catcher", a person who captured innocent puppies and put them in cages. And at Eve and Bob's wedding, I can still remember feeling envious that Eve was dancing with Bob more than me. Since developing more astute cognitive skills, I’ve realized Bob was an okay guy. Like everyone else, I came to appreciate Bob as a source for interesting dialogue and good humor. If you happened to be interested in something Bob was interested in, you were bound to have some good conversation and either an email or gift sent your way. When I showed an interest in baking bread, Bob gifted me books, yeast, advice, bowls, and whatever, I am sure, I would ever have wanted to know in the way of bread. It felt so good to connect with Bob. It felt good to feel excited about something together, because he was so enthusiastic. It felt good to laugh about things, too. Bob made people laugh a lot, in only the way that Bob could, with ease and supreme wit. There was only one time that I knew about something that Bob didn’t, and I literally thought he was making fun of me when he asked me what I was talking about. I just assumed, and still do, that Bob knows everything. In our family, Bob was like an ambassador of interesting food and thought. I’m going to miss so many things he brought to our dynamic. For a while, we’re going to feel like bread without yeast, flat. What’s cool about families, I guess, is everyone is all sort of similar. Bob’s essence will linger with us- in Annika, in Julia, and in Eve. - Molly
Anonymous
Bob had such a calm manner about him and never seemed to be in a hurry. I remember when Bob and family visited Williamsburg and Busch Gardens in Virginia with us. We had such a fantastic time seeing everything and quite a whirlwind tour. I especially remember going through the aviary exhibit with birds perched on our heads and Bob snapping photos left and right; documenting the visit.
Also, remember the last time I saw Bob when he got his award from I2 in Washington, DC. I appreciated so much being invited and seeing the camaraderie among Bob and his co-workers. He had so much depth.
Bob, we miss you so much. David Perara
Anonymous
Travels with Bob
R.L. “Bob” Morgan was not like most people. Maybe he didn’t know how to be like most people, he sometimes had trouble blending in, yet he was more sane, more caring, more entertaining and certainly smarter than just about anyone I’ve ever met. Bob was one of my favorite people.
I had the great pleasure of taking many road trips with Bob, some just for fun, several of them cross-country during our college years. Bob was the kind of person you wanted on a long trip. He was an excellent listener and always had keen observations colored with his searingly dry wit. One conversation that lasted at least an hour went from our school music teacher to astronomy to economics (or something) and finally geology. Then Bob summed up the entire discussion, “So . . . I guess we’ve determined that Mr. Grantham is in fact a 2-billion-year-old rock.”
I was at Juilliard when Bob was at Harvard. One time I mentioned that the school orchestra was going to play a new piece of mine and Bob travelled all the way from Boston to hear it. That meant a lot, but Bob did things like that. I invited him to a class held by the American symphonist David Diamond who was talking about the architecture of music and, for some reason, Diamond started talking about his theory that NYC’s skyscrapers were held up by the wind. Bob was greatly amused by that discussion.
On one of our road trips going west, Bob, being Bob, had strapped a scary looking metal African mask to the front of his Pinto station wagon. It lasted until Utah where the authorities removed it. We hiked up Mount Harvard in Colorado until it started snowing. We drove through Leadville where he would later work on a giant rock crushing machine for a summer job.
Robin and I were lucky enough to have Bob in our wedding party. In the ensuing years we always looked forward to visits with his family. We tried to understand his work - once he tried to, very patiently, explain “internet identity” - but I’m afraid we didn’t get much of it.
I will always remember the adventures -- the somewhat unwise experiments with fireworks, the endless discussions, drinking cheap beers on the roof of a NYC brownstone in the rain, walking all the way down 5th Avenue to Battery park and going to the top of the just-opened World Trade Center and looking back down at the strangely quiet city. Bob loved the view.
Bob’s life was something many of us were lucky enough to share a small part of. And yet, all those memories live on within us. In that sense, Bob remains very much alive. Bob did very well indeed.
- Todd Mason
Los Angeles
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bob's Obituary
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=rl-morgan-bob&pid=158705110
Bob's Online Guest Book
www.legacy.com/guestbook/seattletimes/guestbook.aspx?n=rl-morgan&pid=158705110&eid
Anonymous
I have so many special memories of Bob at family gatherings - our first Christmas Eve he joined us wearing a Santa hat....I thought...."people REALLY wear those on Christmas Eve?" and Bob joined in singing Christmas Carols in his boisterous singing voice - nothing shy about that! And our Thanksgiving meals we shared together - we could always count on Bob creating many culinary delights for the annual feast that were sure to delight our taste buds. I was also priveleged to observe Bob on the sidelines during more than one of his daughter's soccer matches - there is nothing more entertaining than watching Bob with his body English and shouts of "encouragement" to the team and referees! Bob was fun and full of energy and he added much to our family experiences - one of the things I appreciate most about Bob was his smile which I will always remember as we were together with family and enjoying the companionship only shared by that special bond. I will miss Bob.
John Perara
Anonymous
Right...where to begin. I met Bob Morgan when his oldest daughter Annika joined the Lake City Ravens soccer team about five years ago.
He was enthusiastic about the team and mentioned Annika's select experience and I as a Ravens coach in the Recreational division, was a bit suspicious of his parental "input." However, all concerns were quickly put to rest as Bob provided nothing but enthusiasm, a quick wit, and an undying willingness to pitch in.
One memory I have stands above all. The Ravens had won the City Tournament for the last time over their arch rivals the Geckos and we had a pizza dinner to celebrate. In seasons past I had composed a poem about the Ravens efforts in that year, but always had trouble getting through it, due to my sentimental nature. So, when players and parents came to me asking about the poem I quietly demurred saying "Not this year." So, I gave a quick speech about having a great season capped by winning the City Tourney, beating the Geckos, and then sat down. Bob leaned over to me and asked if he could say something. "Please do," I said. He took out a piece of paper and laid into an Edgar Allan Poe "The Raven" poetic riff that brought the house down in its absolutle awesomeness. He managed to encapsulate the essence of sportsmanship, support for the team, and the Ravens spirit all in one fell swoop that left me grateful, proud to be part of the team...and a little bit jealous.
Bob certainly contributed to the team in other ways especially on the tech side helping set up email distribution and stuff like that which was great, but that moment in December 2008 was the best.
I see a lot of Bob in Annika; independent thinking, quick wittedness, and willing to put in work. I know he'd be proud of the whole family and I consider it an honor to have known him as I did. He will be missed and I'm getting sentimental just thinking about it.
Hans Christenson
Anonymous
Oh, so many Bob's, and I loved them all!
80's Bob: Shortly after we first met, he gave me a curvy wooden stick that had been carved and painted to look like a snake. What a curious, wierd gift I thought; but as time went on I realized how much Bob loved the curious, wierd things in life. He could go on in infinite detail describing some grotesque bug he saw, and delighted in digging up an interesting book or piece of art. 80's Bob was also very outdoorsy and active. We went on several backcountry cross country ski trips together, and he was very involved with BASS.
90's Bob: It's all about the kids. I have so many memories of meeting up with Eve and Bob, all our kids in tow. He loved his girls, and we had lots of fun together at birthday parties and park outings.
00's Bob: We missed Eve and Bob so much when they moved to Seattle, but whenever possible he went out of his way to meet up with us whenever the opportunity arose. He always made me feel we were still close in distance and friendship.
10's Bob: He had the greatest concern for me when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, even though I did not feel my disease was in the same category as his. I never heard him complain - he loved giving out the details but he never whined about it.
I'll miss you Bob. Oh, and the snake? Its one of the first things I see when I wake up in the morning. A wonderful way to remember you Bob!
Alan Cascio
Anonymous
So many good times I remember with Bob at parties in San Francisco at Utes house and, his house in the Mission District and his Halloween Party in Seattle....we all worked at San Francisco State University..had dinner with Bob, Arlen Raushkolb and Wendy Bones 2 years ago... .I swear Bob started the Hawaiian Shirt Craze that has caught on all over the world ...Im so saddened of his passing...
Robin Booth
Seattle
Anonymous
Bob, or "Uncle Bob" as I came to know him, was a wonderful man. I remember hearing stories of Bob's rolls or Bob's bread long before I ever met him. Such a talented and insightful guy, I always appreciated time spent with Bob because it was never dull and always very thoughtful. As people have already mentioned, Bob never said something before he thought about what it was he wanted to say. Reminds me of the Ents in the Lord of the Rings, never saying something unless it is worth taking a long time to say. Unless of course the Sounders were playing, in which case Bob has plenty to say at all times. Bob, I love you and I will miss you a lot.
Seth Lunde
Anonymous
July 22, 2012
Love and sympathy to all of Bob's family from Marion's friend, Betsy
~ Betsy Barnhart,Cardiff, California
Anonymous
July 23, 2012
Bob will be greatly missed by many people. He left with me many happy memories and lessons. I find myself thinking of him often and my thoughts and prayers are with his family especially his wife and daughters for whom he loved and spoke dearly of. May you find peace and comfort
~ Barry & Miki Ribbeck,Houston, Texas
Anonymous
July 23, 2012
I'm so saddened that the world will no longer have Bob in it. I have such great memories of Bob from our first BASK sea kayaking clinic together. He had a great dry sense of humor and was always a kind and gentle man. To Eve and Bob's daughters, I send my love.
Karen Wagner
~ Karen Wagner,Santa Rosa, California
Anonymous
July 23, 2012
I'm so saddened that the world will no longer have Bob in it. I have such great memories of Bob from our first BASK sea kayaking clinic together. He had a great dry sense of humor and was always a kind and gentle man. To Eve and Bob's daughters, I send my love.
Karen Wagner
~ Karen Wagner,Santa Rosa, California
Anonymous
July 26, 2012
My deepest sympathy to Eve and the girls in the loss of your husband and dad.
~ Joanne Franck Sholar,Floyd, Virginia
Anonymous
July 27, 2012
Eve, my deepest condolences to you and your girls.
Thinking of you,
Gretchen Littell
~ Gretchen Littell,Marysville, Washington
Anonymous
July 29, 2012
Ive known Bob since we worked together at San Francisco State University from 1980 on. What a wonderful guy was and always will be; kind, humble and always took the time to teach me new things. I was so glad he moved to Seattle after I did. Im very saddened he has left us and my sincere condolences to Eve and his daughters.
~ Robin Booth,Seattle, Washington
Anonymous
July 29, 2012
I always thought Bob would be around to catch up and chat about everything under the sun. Rafting, the Tsunami Rangers, soccer, computers, family, etc. My deepest condolances to Eve and the girls. His life touched so many people and his legacy is in his girls and his work.
Hugs, Cheryl Pater
Anonymous
July 29, 2012
My memories are of my first cousin Bobby as a student at Harvard. He would stay with us often and my sister and I always looked forward to his arrival. Our sympathies are with you all ax your hearts search to fill the hole left by dearest Bob, loving husband, ,father, brother uncle, cousin and friend.
Anonymous
July 30, 2012
I was so saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He was a constant fixture at the Ravens soccer games. His humor and helpful advise to the refs was always appreciated. Love and sympathy to all his family. Jim
~ Jim Leslie,Seattle, Washington
Anonymous
August 03, 2012
Bob Morgan had been part of my extended family for over 50 years through the marriage of my late wife Pattie who was his cousin. I remember baby sitting for him and his brother Michael years ago when they lived in Palos Verdes. My family was greatly honored when Bob took the time to represent the Morgan family at Pattie's memorial service 9 years ago. We send our deepest sympathy to all the family in Bob's passing and will cherish the memories that we have of him.
~ Ron Crawford,Portland, Oregon