Robert B. Morris

Robert B. Morris, 101, died November 3, 2023, at Westminster Place, Evanston, IL where he lived for the past 20 years. He served as Glencoe IL village manager from 1951-1982. His professional and personal commitment to public administration involved mentoring young professionals including 21 assistants who became city or county managers in 68 municipalities in 22 states. He taught as an adjunct professor at Roosevelt and Northern Illinois University (1965-1994). He was a leader in the city management profession. Morris' life legacy is his commitment to the highest ideals of professional public service through ethical practices, education and mentoring in support of democracy in local government.

A native of Mankato, MN, Morris served three years during World War II as an Army Air Force navigation instructor. He received both BS and MPA degrees from the University of Minnesota and an honorary doctorate from Northern Illinois University. He and Louise Spaeth shared 64 years of partnership in marriage. They met at the University of Minnesota where she, too, received her MPA degree. The couple were Glencoe residents for 54 years.

Morris was president of the Metropolitan Chicago and Illinois City/County Management Associations. From the International City Management Association, he received the first Career Development Award for training young people for urban management careers and received the Distinguished Service Award for his "outstanding contribution to the professional management of local government." He served as Great Lakes group cluster leader for the U. S. Presidential Management Intern Program, a select group of nine post-graduate federal government interns. He served for eight years on the Illinois Local Governmental Law Enforcement Officers Training Board. He received a certificate of achievement from Rotary International in 2020 on his 70th anniversary as a member of the Rotary Club of Glencoe. Bob was a 70-year member of Glencoe Union Church, teaching Sunday School and serving on church boards. He is described by peers as an excellent communicator, writer, innovator, team-builder, teacher, visionary, and friend.

In retirement Bob devoted time to travel, family, genealogy, golfing with friends, city management professional associations, and his family farming interests. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert B. and Della M. Morris, wife Louise, sister Evelyn, brother Lawrence, son Paul, daughter Jane, and granddaughter Elisabeth Schultz.

Bob is survived by a daughter, Sandra L. Morris of Lititz, PA, and a son, Rolf B. Morris of Longmont, CO; three grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at Elliott Chapel, Presbyterian Homes, Evanston, IL, at a future date, with interment in the Glencoe Union Church Memorial Garden. Memorials may be made to Geneva Foundation designating the gift to the Woman's Board on the memo line. Send checks to Geneva Foundation, 8707 Skokie Blvd., Suite 400, Skokie, IL 60077.