Obituary of Robert Morse

CROMWELL, Conn. -- Robert Holden Morse of Covenant Village, Cromwell, formerly of Glastonbury died Monday, Nov. 6, 2006, in Hospice care at Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, from complications of Parkinson's disease.Born in Richmond, Va., on Aug. 19, 1918, to Sterne and Mary Isabelle Weber Morse, he grew up outside Cleveland, Ohio, before attending Exeter Academy. He graduated from Harvard University in 1939 with a major in Physics and later earned an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He moved to Hartford to work for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and retired as a sales and marketing executive in 1981. For his final project he lead the development of the first quieter jet engines for commercial aircraft. When he first came to Hartford, he lived at the YMCA, where he developed many lifelong friendships and met his future wife, Wynona Leete. The couple married on Sept. 12, 1942. He was drafted into the Army during their honeymoon. He served until the end of World War II as a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, supervising airplane engine maintenance for a heavy bomber wing in England.After the war, the family settled in Wethersfield. In 1955, they moved to Glastonbury where they lived there for 40 years. In 1995, the couple moved to the retirement community, Covenant Village of Cromwell.Mr. Morse had a great curiosity about the world. The breadth of his interests and depth of his knowledge illumined the lives of his family and friends. He loved the outdoors and was one of the original members of the Springfield Ski Club in Blandford, Mass., where he skied with family and friends until his balance failed him. Favorite activities included family camping and hiking, body surfing and sailing on Cape Cod, travels to Europe and the Caribbean with friends.An avid tennis player, he continued playing into his 80s. He loved the competitive and social aspects of bridge, playing actively until his death.Mr. Morse loved of classical music, and especially enjoyed singing in various choruses. He sang bass in the Hartford Chorale for over 30 years and served as president during its formative years as an independent organization. He and his wife enjoyed many seasons of Hartford Symphony concerts and plays at the Hartford Stage Co.He felt a deep responsibility to community and served on the Glastonbury Planning and Zoning Commission for many years. He was concerned about preserving open space before that became a popular cause. He was also active in the Historical Society of Glastonbury for many years, serving for a time as its President. He was also a member of Civitan of Hartford. At Covenant Village, he served as president of the Residents' Council. His accomplishments included allowing residents to own pets, a great joy and comfort to many people.He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Wynona and his brothers Philip and Dwight.He is survived by his sons and daughter and their families: Jonathan and his wife Charlene of Marlboro, Vt., Robert and his wife Pam of Madison, N.J., Lucy Morse and her husband Paul Englesberg of Ferndale, Wash., and Bill and his wife Lee Farris of Cambridge, Mass.; 10 grandchildren, Joanna, Erica, and Naomi Morse, Matthew, Adam and his wife Anise Strong, and Nelleke Morse, Colin and AmyBea Morse Englesberg, Nikki and Lauren Morse; and a great-grandchild, McLevy Strong-Morse,; a brother, Dean Morse of New York City; a sister, Susan (Morse) and her husband Frederic Allen of Los Angeles, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews including special niece, Kathy Allen of South Orange, N.J.The family is grateful for the warm, devoted and generous care of the staff of Pineview at Covenant Village the personal aides who helped him in his final months and for the extraordinary care at the Hospice of Middlesex Hospital. Their care and expertise eased his death considerably.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104; The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Dr. No. 100, Arlington, VA 22203; American Civil Liberty Union, 125 Broad St., 18th Fl., NY, NY 10024; or United for Peace and Justice, Box 607, Times Square Station, NY, NY 10108.A memorial service will be held Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006, at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Covenant Village in Cromwell. For directions, call (860) 635-5511 for directions.The SHAKER FUNERAL HOME in New Britain is in charge of the arrangements.u