Kent Morgan

Kent with his 1984ish vintage Macintosh computer in the summer of 1988.

I have so many great memories of Uncle Kent. I remember when I was little, we were in a boat, I don´t remember where, but I think it was a small lake in Lake County? The motor broke down He was so strong he got into the water and pulled the boat to shore while swimming and treading water. I remember when he gave me an enlarger so I could learn to make photographic prints. I Remember he could walk on his hands in my grandparents living room. I remember his iguana I believe at his apartment in Evanston before he went to graduate school. He always gave us the coolest Christmas gifts. We would go to his house in Michigan for a second Christmas for several years around the new year with his wife and three little daughters who are all in successful careers now. We used to bang pots and pans outside their front door at midnight on New Year´s Eve/Day. Those are the memories that pop into my head for now anyway. I really miss him. He was always very happy, cheerful, intelligent and wise.

I met Kent when we were both still young bachelors in Kalamazoo, MI. He had a garage next to mine and was working on his motorcycle. I had an old dirt bike and he helped me rebuild it. We became great friends and spent a lot of time on the motorcycles together, including a number of motorcycle trips to the Lake Michigan shore. After we were both married, we remained good friends until we moved away from Kalamazoo. Over the years, we drifted apart physically, but I always enjoyed long "Catch-up" telephone calls. I uploaded a picture of Kent carrying Andrew, my six-month-old son at the Kalamazoo County Fair. We haven't spoken much in the last few years, but I will miss knowing he is out there. RIP, old friend.

My father passed away surrounded by my mother, sisters and me. I´m forever grateful that we were able to hold his hands as he transitioned. Thanks to Jennifer´s musical talents she played Pink Floyd´s "Wish You Were Here" and John Denver´s "Annie´s Song" (my parents´ wedding song) on my dad´s beloved guitar during his final hours. If you were a childhood friend of the Morgan girls, my dad likely taught you how to water ski. If you were high school friends, you probably have memories of holding on for dear life as Captain Morgan hoisted the sails and raced an unsuspecting dot in the horizon. He was known for his "crazy dinners," now more commonly called a charcuterie board. He took great pride in his workshop that housed the shiniest power tools and the comfiest corduroy chair. He taught us early on that the best Christmas gifts were made with a scroll saw, thereby teaching our little hands how to use one. He was a wonderful example of the type of husband that my sisters and I should marry one day. We´re incredibly thankful that he was ours. We have appreciated all the cards and gestures of kindness that have been happy glimmers as we integrate this grief into our lives. Smooth sailing, Captain Morgan... we love you gobs and gobs.

Some of my favorite pictures of Kent.
Love, Susan