Edward "Ted" Morse II

October 22, 1930 - August 3, 2024 Edward "Ted" Morse, aka "The Commander" was a gentleman. He was brilliant, beautiful and shrewd; a strategist, achiever, and hugely successful human being. He had a musical ear and was quite the showman & comedian; funny, quirky, warm & loving, could be prickly, and never afraid to challenge an opinion. Ted was a rule-breaker & trailblazer who pushed the envelope, sang under the moon, loved life, and was a generous man. He cared deeply for those around him, be they schoolmate, sailor, business partner, or busboy… as long as they worked hard and contributed to the world.
Growing up in Beverly Hills, Ted started work at age 11 as a soda jerk and gas station attendant. By 14 he was delivering print for the Beverly Hills Citizen, run by Will Rogers Jr. He spent his life attaining difficult goals and openly disliked freeloaders.
Ted was a retired Naval Commander and Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, during which he was stationed in Korea and Japan where he climbed Mount Fuji and the famous Kamakura Buddha. Ted's Naval Unit received the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for aiding General MacArthur in his landing at Incheon, Korea during the Korean War.
The Commander held a Juris Doctor from UCLA and was the sole Industrial Real Estate broker for the William Morris Agency in his 30's and 40's. Retiring as a broker at age 50, he continued to travel the world, trade currencies, and make successful and intricately calculated investments in the stock, bond, and real estate markets, until death.
Ted was a lifelong athlete. He was the 1947 CA State Champion pole vaulter with Beverly Hills High. The Commander was an accomplished technical scuba diver who dove for fun with UDT/Navy Seal buddies, with whom he made a successful 250' dive. He was an avid two-man beach volleyball player who played with Olympians & professionals alike, on "A Court" at Sorrento Beach in Santa Monica for nearly 60 years. His games were sometimes refereed or overseen by Barron Hilton and Peter Lawford.
The Commander was a man about town, extremely well-connected, respected, and gracious. He was loved by many, known and admired for his wit & wisdom, tireless study of the stock market, priceless investment advice, and his prolific writings, right up until death. He was also an active member of multiple charities, including the Vikings Charities at the Yacht Club.
Ted's ashes were scattered off the coast of San Diego near his beloved Naval Base Coronado.