Richard "Dick" Morris, 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Menlo Park, California, on November 18, 2025.
Born on March 29, 1934, Richard grew up in the small farming town of Wibaux, Montana. Despite spending much of his adult life in California, he never forgot where he came from; he remained deeply connected to his hometown, faithfully reading the local Wibaux newspaper every week to stay in touch with his roots.
Richard served his country in the U.S. Army for three years during the Korean War. He was stationed primarily in Germany, where he worked in administrative roles, including typewriter repair. Following his service, he utilized the GI Bill to attend Montana State University, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.
In 1962, Richard moved to Sunnyvale to begin a career in the aerospace industry. For decades, he worked on satellites, specifically providing support for the Gambit program, which captured reconnaissance photographs during the Cold War. Because the program remained classified until 2011, for much of his life his family knew only that he worked on satellites. He was a quiet professional who played a vital role in national security during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
Outside of work, Richard's true passion was baseball. He played throughout his youth on a traveling baseball team, a highlight of which was the distinct honor of playing against the legendary Satchel Paige. Later in life, he continued to enjoy the sport by playing company softball and serving as a Little League coach. An avid San Francisco Giants fan, Richard was known for his incredible memory. He could recall batting averages and specific plays from decades prior with impressive accuracy. He was also active in his local community, serving as president of the Sharon Heights Homeowners Association.
Richard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Tina Morris; his son, Kevin Morris; his daughter-in-law, Libby Jones; his grandchildren, Leah and Ryan; and various nieces and nephews. He was the youngest of six children and was preceded in death by his siblings: Denison Jr., Jean, Shirlee, Margaret, and Robert.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 6th, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Denis Catholic Church in Menlo Park. The church holds special significance for the family, as it is where Richard and Tina were married, and where their son and grandchildren were baptized.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Toys for Tots program