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Franklin Morse Obituary
July 3, 1935 - Sept. 3, 2020
TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Franklin Ames “Steve” Morse II of Traverse City passed away in his home on September 3, 2020 after a four month long battle with lung cancer. He was surrounded by family, music, and poetry in his final hours. Steve was born to Franklin and Claire (Treat) Morse on July 3, 1935 in South Bend, Indiana.
Steve attended Adams High School in South Bend and graduated from Asheville Prep School in North Carolina. He received a BA from Williams College in 1957. After graduation, he attended The Wharton School and Sacred Heart of the Novitiate for one year each before deciding to pursue a career in law. In 1964, Steve received a JD from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Steve was a partner of Barnes and Thornburg, practicing civil litigation from 1966-1996. His long history with the ACLU began in 1988 as a member of the Screening Committee. He served as a Staff Attorney and member of the State Board of Directors in Indiana. He was presented with the ACLU's Distinguished Service Award in 1993. Steve was also an adjunct professor of law at Notre Dame Law School from 1996-1999 and served as a Supervising attorney at the Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic.
Steve moved to his beloved Northern Michigan in 1999 where he became a member of the Staff of Legal Services of Northwest Michigan in Traverse City, a nonprofit law firm that offers free legal services to low-income and elderly clients. He continued his service to the ACLU in Northwestern Michigan and held numerous positions on the Board of Directors, including President, for over a decade.
It is here in Northern Michigan where Steve found his passions for life. He was an accomplished photographer and lover of art. He was an avid reader and student of history, philosophy, human nature and baseball. He honed his research and writing skills and became a prolific essayist. Steve loved poetry and enjoyed sharing his favorites with family and friends. His deep belief in peace and human dignity led him to not only acknowledge an injustice but to get involved to create change. He also loved animals and found great companionship with his pets.
Steve married Judith (Sheehan) Morse on August 17, 1963 and they were married for 20 years. Together they had six children: Mary Claire (Tim) Galloway, Molly Morse, Stephen (Kristina) Morse, Francie (Brian) Burkhard, Peter and Michael Morse. Steve had 14 grandchildren; Kadi, Courtney, Riley, Luke, Sam, Marijane, Molly, Nicole, Lauren, Maggie, Ruby, Calvin, Gus and Edie; and four great-grandchildren, Sabine, Jonah, Hudson and Hazel.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin and Claire; his stepmother, Lucille (Zimmer) Morse; his cherished Labradoodle, Carson and his feline companion, Tigger.
Steve is survived by his brother, Charles Morse, his sister, Kitty Duncan, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind his close friends, Terri, Jim, Cori and Sally as well as his cohorts in activism, nicknamed “The Pod”.
Donations can be made to the ACLU of Michigan Northwestern Branch or Cherryland Humane Society, Traverse City, Michigan.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Franklin Morse
4 Entries
Rebecca Carlson
September 20, 2020
I was Steve's secretary for a number of years at Barnes & Thornburg and absolutely loved working for him. He was a kind man, a great attorney and full of integrity. My sincere condolences to all Steve's family and friends.
Mary Jo Anderson
September 15, 2020
I have really wonderful memories of Steve while working as an intern at the Notre Dame Legal Aid Clinic. He was always helpful and a great mentor. I will always remember him as a generous and kind advisor. He will be missed.
Patrick J. McNamara
September 15, 2020
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of an old friend and neighbor, Steve Morse. After graduating from I.U. Law School (Indianapolis) in 1969 and beginning the practice of law in Mishawaka, I learned that Steve was employed with a highly respected firm in the First Bank Building at Main & Jefferson. The telephone receptionist there would answer with the musical lilt, “Thornburg, McGill and Deahl, Harmon, Carey and Murray”! But, it was not from any professional association in the law or the courts that I knew Steve or from his later distinguished NGO service. In fact, it was as a child, that I always knew and for the last time saw “Stevie”. We McNamara kids grew up on Twyckenham Dr. across the alley from the Morse family. Steve’s younger brother, Charles Treat “Charlie” Morse, and I were playmates. Steve being born in 1935 was three years older and didn’t seem to be around very much. When he did put in an appearance in those early days, he was to me a heroic figure, bigger than life. In fact my most powerful and abiding memory of Steve was formed one day when we neighorhood kids were playing a game of pickup football in our front yard at 227 N. Twyckenham Dr. Suddenly, Stevie showed up. I seem to recall it being said that he had been away at school in the east and that he had played football there. In any event, he took the football and punted it. But, this kick bore no comparison to our handling of the ball up to that moment. When the football came off of Steve’s foot, it soared - I would estimate, at least 50 feet into the air and flew from the west side of our residential lot out to the other side of Twyckenham Dr. - likely a distance of at least 150 feet! It was then, and in retrospect, now, a Herculean feat, a punt the like of which we had previously seen only at Notre Dame stadium where we kids would often stand outside and score free tickets to see the Irish play!
Michael Thomas
September 14, 2020
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all. I pray the Holy Spirit gives you comfort and peace
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