Obituary of Robert D. Morse

Robert "Bob" DeWitt Morse, age 91, passed away peacefully at home on the snowy morning of December 22, 2024, after a brief illness and under the care of his daughter Cathleen. Born in 1933 in Cortland, NY, Bob lived most of his life in Virgil with his wife of 69 years, the late Mary Harendorf Morse. After Mary's passing in February 2023, Bob did his best to enjoy time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, while looking forward to the day he would be reunited with her. As many people know, in 1950, while attending a basketball game at Virgil School, Bob saw Mary in the stands and told his friend that she was the girl he was going to marry. He was right because in 1954, Bob and Mary would indeed marry and raise five children. Bob served in the Navy as Boatswain Mate from 1955-1957 (reserve until 1961). He was a hard worker who supported his family by painting houses, working several jobs, and using his skills from his days as Boatswain Mate to do odd jobs for the community. In 1995, Bob retired from Cooper Industries-Cooper Hand Tools Division (formerly Brewer-Titchener) after 35 years; however, he didn't stop working. He continued to work part-time at local schools and at the Virgil Rural Cemetery. Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed going on motorcycle and snowmobile rides with Mary and his family, playing cards and board games, and sitting on the front porch counting the cars that would go through the intersection without stopping. In Virgil and the surrounding towns, Bob was well known for having a large inventory of snowmobile and motorcycle parts. People would drive from several counties over hoping that Bob Morse would have just what they needed. He had a talent for being able to fix anything mechanical or with an engine and could build just about anything, including his large garage. Bob built bird houses, bird feeders, small cabinets, and wagon kits, among other things, and would sell them to passersby purely for enjoyment. Bob's children remember him teaching them how to play marbles, make scrambled eggs, pancakes, and spaghetti, drive a motorcycle and snowmobile, and that strawberry milk and popcorn mixed together make a delicious snack. He lived with honesty and integrity, he believed in the good in people, and he didn't sweat the small stuff. He was much loved and will be dearly missed. Bob is predeceased by parents Ira and Luella (Wire) Morse, wife Mary, grandson Alan Charles (Cathleen's son), brother Lewis Morse and wife Dixie, and brother Lanny Morse. He is survived by his five children: David (Annette), Jeffrey (Terry), Scott (Denise), Cathleen (William) Fair, and Melissa (late Donald) White; grandchildren Jared Morse, Nathan Morse, Ahren Morse, Brandon Morse, Jeremy Carlton, Cassandra Mary, Lily May, and Nicholas White; nine great-grandchildren; sister Linda Adams; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. The family gives a special thank you to the staff at Hospicare for their kindness and support, as well as to his daughter Cathleen who often had to put aside her role as daughter to focus on being a nurse (that bachelor's degree in nursing has paid off in spades, Cathy). While she did not manage things entirely alone during these final months, Cathleen did most of the heavy lifting, literally and figuratively, and her siblings are forever grateful. The family will gather in the spring of 2025 for a private military funeral to honor Bob's service and dedication to his family. Per his wishes, Bob will be laid to rest beside his beloved Mary in Virgil Rural Cemetery, along with his grandson Alan's cremated remains. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospicare and Palliative Care Services, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 in Bob's name; or to Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) Alliance at www.tscalliance.org in his grandson Alan's name. "Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow." — Mary Elizabeth Frye