Dr. Richard H. Morris, 95, died Jan. 23 during surgery for a broken hip. He was born March 6, 1930, to Howard and Margaret Morris in North Bend, Ohio. As a teen, he worked part-time at the family-owned Morris Bros. Market, and graduated from Taylor High School in 1948. He earned a B.S. from the University of Cincinnati, where he played trumpet in the marching band. While a student at the UC College of Medicine, he married the love of his life, Carol Jean McFadden, in 1955. After graduating from med school in 1956, he joined the Navy, serving two years as the doctor aboard the U.S.S. Arneb, which took him to Antarctica. In 1959, he and Carol settled in Harrison, Ohio, where he joined a family-medicine practice and they raised their sons.
He served many patients in the Harrison area, delivering babies, making late-night house calls, attending ambulance runs, treating countless illnesses, and attending to end of life. Toward the end of his practice, he was treating the fifth generation of some families. He provided medical support to the Harrison High football team and sports program for over 30 years, and he served on the Southwest District school board for three years. After closing his practice in 1994, he joined the staff of Miami University’s student health clinic until his retirement in 1999.
He was known for his humble demeanor, dry sense of humor and observations of life. He was an avid jazz fan and followed the Reds and Bearcats. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Harrison and sang in the choir for many years. He spent retirement faithfully serving his church, visiting his children and grandchildren, fishing and reading. He and Carol were married 53 years until her death in 2008. They set a great example of love, respect and helping others throughout their marriage.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Carol. He is survived by sons Kirk Morris, Brian Morris and wife Lisa, Tom Morris and wife Beth; grandchildren Sarah, Catherine, Andrew, Nicholas and fiancée Lindsey, Erica, and Chloe; sister Esther Morris Montague; nieces and nephews; friend Lieschen Turchina. The family gratefully acknowledges the care he received at Twin Towers retirement home. Funeral service: Saturday Jan. 31, 1 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 115 S. Vine St., Harrison. Memorials: First Presbyterian Church, Harrison; Matthew 25 Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati 45242; Buckhorn Children’s Foundation, 116 Buckhorn Lane, Buckhorn KY 41721.