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Richard MORSE Obituary
Richard Roger "Dick" Morse
SPRINGFIELD - Richard Roger "Dick" Morse, a well-known architect and community leader in Springfield, died May 28, 2013, at St. John's Hospital at age 69.
He was born February 24, l944, in Pampa, Texas, to Marie (Stover) and Roger H. Morse. Dick and his sister, Jean, spent their formative years in Marion, Kansas, and he graduated valedictorian from Marion High School in l962. Dick received a Bachelor of Art History from Amherst College, in Amherst, Massachusetts, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Dick married Nathela Chatara in Ashland, Illinois, in 1973. After their marriage, Dick embraced the culture and traditions of Nathela's native land, the Republic of Georgia. Together they delighted in their children, Nicolas, Michel and Eteri.
Dick entered into partnership with Ralls Melotte to form Melotte-Morse Architects in 1978. Their partnership grew throughout the years to become Melotte Morse Leonatti Parker, Ltd., a firm specializing in architecture and sustainable design. Among the firm's many projects were the art glass restoration of Springfield's Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana-Thomas House, the restoration of the Illinois Capitol dome's stained glass and the city's first LEED-certified building.
His love of the arts was reflected in his interest in music, uniquely designed gardens and creative flower arrangements. He especially cherished the home he and Nathela designed and shared with visitors from throughout the world.
Dick was a member of numerous organizations including the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Green Building Council Illinois Chapter, the Heritage Foundation and Downtown Springfield, Inc. Among his many community services Dick was a trustee of the Springfield Public Schools Foundation, had been an elder at First Presbyterian Church and held many leadership positions in Rotary International Springfield Sunrise.
In addition to his wife, Nathela Chatara of Springfield, Dick's survivors include one daughter, Eteri of Carlsbad, Czech Republic; two sons, Nicolas (Karolina) of Prague, Czech Republic, and Michel of Chicago; one sister, Jean (Jim) Slater of Canon City, Colorado; two grandchildren, Mathias and Ketevan of Prague, Czech Republic; sister-in-law, Mzia Chatara (Michael Middleton) of River Falls, Wisconsin; and brother-in-law, Thamaz Chatara (Katharine).
He also is survived by two nephews, Jemal Oldham-Chatara and Jacob Slater; five nieces, Heidi Slater, Molly (Jason) Schuyler, Eliso Chatara-Middleton (Jacob Nitchels), Lexi Chatara-Middleton and Tessa Chatara-Middleton.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 31, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel in Springfield. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rotary District 6460 Youth Exchange in care of Alban Haxhinasto, 831 West College, Jacksonville, IL 62650 or to the Acorn Legacy Campaign, Lincoln Memorial Gardens, 2301 East Lake Drive, Springfield, IL 62712.
Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Sign the online guest book at www.boardman-smith.net
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard MORSE
June 4, 2013
Nathela, You and your family have our sympathy during this sad and difficult time in your life. May all your wonderful memories together sustain you.
Linda and Don Mahoney
June 1, 2013
Nathela,
Just learned of your loss, so sorry. Jim and I send thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Jim and Jill Coy
Melinda Mast
May 31, 2013
Nathela
I was so sorry to hear of Dick's death. My sincerest sympathy to you and your family. So many memories.....
Anthony Kartsonas
May 31, 2013
Nathela and Family,
I was fortunate to have had the chance to work with Dick a few years ago and have worked with his firm in springfield. He was always professional and courteous, A true delight to be around. He will be missed. My condolences to you and your family through this difficult time.
Marygael Cullen
May 31, 2013
Nathela and family.....Sending thoughts to the universe to give you strength during this difficult time. We are so sad and wish we could be there. Dick taught us how to love life and grab it with both hands. Will be in touch in a couple of weeks. All of our love
Marygael and Jim
William Armstrong
May 31, 2013
Nathela, Our hearts go out to you and your family. We enjoyed our friendship with Dick so much, what a kind-hearted and fun guy. He was so helpful in designing our house, always keeping us moving forward when we got bogged down. We are sorry for the loss.
Bill and Marie-France.
Teresa Goodyear
May 31, 2013
Nathela and family,
I am so sorry of your loss. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Dick through the years on youth exchange.
Donna Newsom Tabatabai
May 31, 2013
I grew up with Dick in Marion, KS. We went through school and church together. He will always be a part of the fabric of my life. My prayers are with all his family and friends at this very difficult time. He left us far too soon.
Amanda Patton
May 31, 2013
Nathela, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Love,
Gary Sudeth
May 31, 2013
Nathela, I am sorry to learn of Dick's passing.
Cheryl Slayback
May 31, 2013
This is sad news. He was a very kindhearted man. I enjoyed working for him at MMLP and conversations we had. What a loss... my prayers to his family.
May 31, 2013
Nathela and Family -what a huge loss for you all--our deepest sympathy for you a this very sad time. I always will appreciate the time that Dick and I spent with the kids in the Rotary Exchange program. He was a kind person and we were better for having known him. May you all find peace in your hearts.
Mary & Syed Ahmed
Ruth (Stewart) Fink
May 31, 2013
Nathela, Please accept my sympathy on your loss and I pray for comfort and strength as you cherish memories and begin a new chapter without your hubby.
Shirley Eck
May 31, 2013
Nathela,
I am so saddened to read about Dick. We would always see each other downtown over lunch. Just last week, he was thrilled that the flowers were being planted! Please take care.
Kate Hawkes
May 31, 2013
Nathela, I was so sorry to hear about this. My heart goes out to you and the kids. Deep peace.
Shirley Eck
May 31, 2013
Nathela and Family,
I am so sorry and shocked to read about Dick. Just talked with him last week. Would often run into him over lunch hour walks downtown. He was excited about the flowers being planted! My thoughts are with you and your children. Please take care.
Rita Brummett
May 31, 2013
Nathela, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. My love and prayers are with you.
Michelle Marcy
May 31, 2013
Nathela I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It was always a pleasure seeing Dick at shows. I know he is greatly missed by many. My condelences to you and the kids.
Fogt Family
May 31, 2013
Nathela and Family - Thoughts and prayers to you. So very sorry for your loss.
Randy, Mary, and Brandon von Liski
May 31, 2013
Written words are not adequate to express our heartfelt sympathy at this time. We always felt a wonderful Kansas connection with Dick and always enjoyed his outgoing personality, insights, amazing knowledge-base, talents, and creativity. What a remarkable role model, husband, father, grandfather, trend-setter, leader, friend. Wishing the family: a song in your heart; a rainbow after the rain; peace; hope. When words fail, music speaks.
May 31, 2013
Nathela and family,
Ann and I offer our condolences and prayers. Dick was such a treasured friend. I will fondly remember our lunches where for years we talked about our families. It was a wonderful sharing and he was so proud of you all. I will miss my old friend.
Dick and Ann Hart
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