Robert Morton Obituary

MORTON-Robert S. Morton, (Bob), died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Monday, January 7, 2008. He was born in 1921 in Philadelphia to Ruth and Lindley C. Morton. He moved with his family to Birmingham, Alabama and then to Pasadena. After he graduated from Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, he went on to Yale where he spent two years before leaving to join the Naval Air Corps. In 1945 he returned to Yale setting an all time record of finishing two years in one year with the highest grades ever recorded. Also in 1945 he married Elizabeth Evans from Pittsburgh, whom he said he vowed to marry before he even met her, based on stories of his classmates and her pictures in their rooms. They moved to Pasadena in 1946 and then to San Marino where they have liv ed for fifty years. Mr. Morton was an inventive, analytic entrepreneur who delighted in starting new companies. He was president of Rhienhold Engineering, Pacific Atlantic Properties, a partner in Morton Brothers, as well as the owner of the Racquet Club in Palm Springs. Volunteering his leadership, wisdom and expertise was very important to him. He was the Senior Warden at All Saints Church and he helped raise money for Hospice in Pasadena during its infancy. Bob was an avid reader and writer of e ngaging and funny short stories. His subjects revolved around his love of nature, birds, animals and meaningful experiences and people in his life. He wrote his stories monthly for the Fisher's Island Gazette in New York. After many years the Gazette compiled his stories and published the collection in a book that has been loved by many. His love for birds enabled him to not only identify a species by sight, but also by their sounds. He always knew which one of his buddies was nearby. The birds in his ya rd were known to eat crackers from his hands and would often remind him from whatever room Bob was in that he hadn't fed them that day. Bob is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of 63 years, his two daughters, Susan Parker of Pasadena, Liza Gossett of Bellingham, Washington, one grandchild, Ashely Parker of Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with his sister, Sylvia Kingsley of San Francisco, and three sisters-in-law, Jane Morton of Palo Alto, Katherine Morton of Casper, Wyoming, Nancy Gruner of Pittsburgh and thi rteen nieces and nephew. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. at All Saints Church, 132 North Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, California. Memorial contributions in Bob's name may be made to Hospice of Pasadena 351 E. Foothill Blvd. Arcadia, CA 91006. Cabot & Sons, Pasadena.