Richard "Dick" MORROW

02/18/1927 - 09/14/2015

MORROW, Richard "Dick" Richard Pruyne Morrow of Spokane Valley passed away after a brief illness on September 14, 2015. Dick was surrounded by family and friends. He was born in DuBois, Pennsylvania, on February 18, 1927 to Agnes Pruyne Morrow and Frank Culver Morrow. He graduated from Central Valley High School and was immediately drafted into the US Army. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and served as a medic in the Aleutian Islands. After his discharge from the Army in October 1946, Dick attended Eastern Washington College of Education (now Eastern Washington University) where he met Shirley Bauer. They were married in Libby, Montana, on July 10, 1954, and made their home in the Spokane area for the next 60 years. Their daughter, Susan, was born in 1955 and their son, Rick, followed in 1958. Dick's career included positions in sales; as a driver for several companies; and, finally, in the automotive industry. While he took pride in a job well done and thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship of his coworkers, the most important things in Dick's life were his family, friends and, by extension, his community. He enjoyed positions as an adult leader in Boy Scouts and served on various community and homeowners association boards. He attended West Valley High School sporting events both when his children were students there and, then, as an enthusiastic community member. He was an avid gardener and cultivated both beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetable crops. (He was tending to his tomatoes just a few days prior to his death!) Dick also enjoyed the companionship of a series of dogs and recently remarked that "remembering all the dogs I've ever had" was one of the good things about growing older. Dick and Shirley traveled the world, visiting all seven continents and, for over 15 years, escaped the Spokane winters by spending those months in the Mexican beach town of Guayabitos. They returned from those adventures with souvenirs and stories. Those stories colored Dick's conversations for decades! Dick was a kind and gentle man. His loyalty ran deep and his love and friendship were amazing gifts to those who received them. He sought joy in the everyday, found and shared it with lifelong generosity. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Dick was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Morrow, and his parents, Frank and Agnes Morrow. He is survived by his son, Rick Morrow, and his wife, Janet, of Troy, MT; his daughter, Susan Morrow, and her husband, Ron Rosano, of San Rafael, CA; and his three grandchildren: Rachel Morrow Theler (Ryan) of Pueblo, CO; Nick Rosano (Brooklyn, NY); and Margaret Rosano (San Francisco, CA). Dick is also survived by his sister, Anne Morrow McKinley, of Seattle; brothers-in-law George Bauer (Betty) and Neil Bauer (Cathy) of Libby, MT; numerous nephews and nieces; and numerous devoted and cherished friends. The Morrow and Rosano families offer thanks to Sacred Heart and the Comfort Care Dick received which allowed him to conclude his life with peace, dignity, and compassion. Additional thanks are offered to the staffs of Park Place Assisted Living and Clarebridge for their loving care and good cheer during hard times. A very special thanks goes to Jo Crosby who cared for Dick with a rare combination of professionalism and love. She truly appreciated the person he was. If you would like to make a donation in Dick's name, please send donations to Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary (highergroundanimalsanctuary.org) or the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 26 at 2PM at the Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines, Spokane Valley, WA.