RICHARD MORRIS

Richard S. Morris, surrounded by loving family, died March 9 from complications of cancer. Richard was born in Oklahoma City, OK, and grew up in Tyler, TX. He attended McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN, where he acquired his life-long love of reading as well as basic military skills. In 1999, the school awarded him an Outstanding Career Achievement Recognition. In 1951, he entered the United States Air Force, progressing through aviation cadet training at Ellington Air Force Base and Mather Air Force Base. Commissioned as first lieutenant, he served as navigator-bombardier on B-26's in France, Germany, and North Africa. Richard attended Rice University, studying engineering and geology, and University of New Mexico, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1960. He was a member of the American Bar Association and the Texas and New Mexico bars. Richard enjoyed a long career in the oil and gas industry, retiring as President and CEO of El Paso Natural Gas Company (EPNG) in 1989. Before becoming involved in general management at EPNG, he held a variety of positions in the legal department of EPNG and its parent company, The El Paso Company. During this time, he was active in the company's project development work, including its Algerian LNG and Alaskan projects, and he played a role in the merger of the Company with Burlington Northern, Inc. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors. Before joining EPNG, he was a partner in the Santa Fe law firm of Montgomery, Federici, Andrews, Hannahs & Morris, where he practiced natural resources and corporate law. Earlier, he was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, working with the Oil Conservation Commission. Richard was Chairman of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, a national trade association of major interstate natural gas pipeline companies. He was a member of that association's Board of Directors and was also on the Board of the American Gas Association, the Pacific Coast Gas Association, and the Gas Research Institute. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of New Mexico Foundation, receiving the University's Regents' Recognition Medal. During his tenure, he established the Richard and Patricia Morris Presidential Scholarship at UNM. His involvement in the community of Santa Fe included Board of Visitors and Governors of St. John's College, Board of Trustees of the Santa Fe Opera Foundation, and the Board of Managers of the School of Advanced Research. Having lived in Santa Fe for more than 40 years of his life, Richard had many friends and former colleagues, with whom he enjoyed sharing a variety of interests, including Santa Fe Opera, Chamber Music Festival, seminars and classes at St. John's College, fly fishing in the Pecos Wilderness and in Colorado, golfing, and travel. His innate curiosity led to a life-long love of learning and a deep appreciation of the arts, especially of the music and galleries found throughout the Santa Fe community. Richard, the consummate gentleman, was a kind and gracious man, whose life touched and guided so many of those who came in contact with him. His family and friends enjoyed the twinkle in his eyes that reflected his sense of humor. Survivors include his wife Patricia and four children from his previous marriage to Mary F. Morris. All four children are proud to have been born in Santa Fe: Daniel (Betsy), Houston, TX, twins Edward (Jessica), Austin, TX, and Joseph, Santa Fe, NM, and Maria Stewart (Roger), Austin, TX. He is also survived by two grandchildren Cole Morris and Sarah Severin, Houston, TX; his two sisters Mary Ann Ulan (Michael), Ben Wheeler, TX, and Jan Clark (Craig), Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and their families; and his wife's daughter, Kem Morehead (partner Rev. Kim Crawford Harvie), Concord, MA. The family wishes to thank Richard's doctors, Dr. Louise Abel and Dr. David Gonzales, The Hospice Center for its mission and caring employees, as well as the caregivers at St. Vincent Medical Center for the support they extended to Richard and the family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Salvation Army, 525 W Alameda, 87501, St. John's College for the Richard S. Morris Scholarship, 1160 Camino Cruz Blanca, 87505, or the charity of one's choice. A memorial service will be held at The Church of The Holy Faith Episcopal on Wednesday, March 14, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at the National Cemetery. La Fonda Hotel, where he gathered weekly with his special coffee group, will be the site of a reception afterwards. Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600 Please sign our guestbook online at www.berardinellifuneralhome.com