Robert James Morje

Robert James Morje, 75, of Columbus, Ohio, died December 28.

Mr. Morje was born November 26, 1950, in Lackawanna, New York.

After the death of his paternal grandfather in 1956, his family returned to the farm where his father, Arthur Morje Jr., had been raised, in Nassau (Rensselaer County), New York. There he helped milk a handful of cows, and pitch loose hay on a wagon that was pulled by two draft horses. His first two years of education were spent in a one-room schoolhouse heated with a coal stove.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and received his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1974. He worked his way through law school as a clerk in a Columbus hospital emergency room.

Mr. Morje was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1974 and practiced law in Columbus for 50 years, concentrating on real estate and bankruptcy matters. He maintained a private practice for much of his career, and also served as counsel for the Columbus Bar Association in disciplinary proceedings before the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was known among colleagues for his professionalism and careful judgment.

Outside the law, he enjoyed music and once appeared onstage as a silent supernumerary in a local opera production. “A brief moment in the spotlight for a fellow who can't sing a note was an outstanding memorable moment,” he wrote.

He and his family were longtime residents of the German Village neighborhood of Columbus.

Mr. Morje was married to Mary Joan Morje, who preceded him in death in 2023.

He is survived by his son, Josh Morje of Columbus; his sister, Jean Morje Waggoner of Nassau, New York; and extended family.

No public services are planned.