Robert Morrow
January 13, 1952 - June 7, 2022
McCall, Idaho - Death: Robert John Morrow
Robert John (Rob) Morrow, 70, of McCall Idaho, passed away on June 7, 2022 from complications of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer. He died at home, surrounded by family and friends.
Rob was born January 13, 1952 in Inglewood, California, the son of Robert W. Morrow and Laura M. Spain.
He grew up in Southern California, Germany and Florida, the son of an Air Force test pilot. Rob's love for the ocean and the environment defined his early career. He earned his undergraduate degree at San Diego State University in marine biology, first working in Hawaii and then later in the remote islands of American Samoa as a consultant on coral reef protection programs. Soon after the mountains of the Northwest called, and after receiving his graduate degree in forestry from Oregon State University, Rob began a 30-year career in wildland fire.
Rob's path brought him to McCall in 1989 where he was a smokejumper for the US Forest Service, parachuting into and suppressing wildfires throughout Idaho and the western US from 1989-2005. It was here he met the love of his life, another smokejumper, McCall local Karen Dorris. They married in 1993 and remained in McCall until present day.
Rob and Karen made smokejumper history in 1995, becoming the first and only married couple ever to jump a fire on the Payette National Forest. From 2005 until his recent retirement, he was the Assistant Fire Management Officer for the McCall Ranger District on the Payette National Forest. Rob always said his greatest career achievement was mentoring younger wildland firefighters, and instilling a strong sense of professionalism and leadership to the next generation.
A fierce competitor, Rob excelled in outdoor sportsâ€¦mountain biking, surfing, rock climbing, to name a few. He could often be seen paddling his outrigger canoe in the early morning sunrise across Payette Lake. But his true passion was skate skiing, where he competed in national and international competitions up until his illness. And only Rob would continue to bicycle long distances to and from his cancer treatments at the Mayo clinic!
If one word could describe Rob, it would be integrity. It showed in all aspects of his life: his work, his friendships, and his family. He lived his life with conviction, purpose and meaning. He truly loved and valued the "magic of life", recognizing the contradiction of living a full life while also accepting its uncertainties; as evidenced by a favorite quote of his he often shared, "What cannot be remedied must be endured".
Rob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert W. and Laura Spain Morrow. He is survived by his wife, Karen, his son, Capt. Zachary Morrow, USAF, his daughter in law Natalie Ball Morrow, and his sister Laura.
A celebration of Rob's life will take place in McCall on July 14, 2022.

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Published by Idaho Statesman on Jun. 26, 2022.