Comments on: William C. Morse

By: Ellen Kotlus

Ellen Kotlus — Sun, 04 May 2008 04:31:46 +0000

I took Dr. Morse’s class when I was an undergraduate student in special education at the University of Michigan. His breadth of knowledge was a given. I was greatly impressed by his warm, personable approach to teaching. After several years of teaching, I returned to the University of Michigan for a graduate degree. I almost applied to a different school for this degree after encountering the “cold bureaucracy” at my alma mater. Then I called Dr. morse and he agreed to be my advisor. After a few years in the graduate program, I went to see him because of a personal crisis. To this day, I think about how supportive he was, and how practical his advice was. I took that advice and I often think of him with appreciation and love.

By: Charles Chrystal

Charles Chrystal — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:47:40 +0000

To have been one of Bill Morse’s students is a high honor, and to have known the man has been a blessing. Bill was a true humanist, and in the very best sense of that word.

To me, Bill Morse was much more than a university professor and scholar. Although he was a wise and gifted teacher, he was also a friend, ally, mentor, confidante, task master, and role model. On at least one occasion he proved himself to be a surrogate superego! I must say I owe much of my adult “self” to Bill’s sage guidance and influence. He will always be present in me.

The world has lost a truly great man. The many gifts Bill bestowed upon those who knew him will continue to be bestowed upon troubled children and youth, however. His work continues through others. His legacy is one of building a better, more compassionate world.

By: Thomas & Diane Fleming

Thomas & Diane Fleming — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:23:01 +0000

We remember Bill Morse with great fondness and respect, as an educator, as a lover of children, and as an exceptional human being. He was absolutely down to earth in his personl demeanor, with his devotion to his family, his sincere interest in the people he met, and his understated humor. In his professional life, he was totally committed to children with special needs and to his students, a compassionate icon in his field. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to know in person this truly great, truly humble man.

By: Maria Angeliadis

Maria Angeliadis — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:26:33 +0000

I was very saddened by the news of Dr. Morses’ passing and send my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. I was priviledged to know Dr. Morse, originally as a student, and most joyfully as a true mentor. We spent one whole summer talking and reviewing my work toward my dissertation. He helped me focus on my work and make sense of all that I was trying to convey! My journey was a challenging one, but he helped me put on paper what was in my head! He shared many of his own thoughts about mentoring with me and allowed me to share mine. He showed me how to bring my thoughts to paper and helped me validate my own mentoring feelings, believes and experiences. I valued our mentor/mentee friendship and I dedicated my accomplishments in my book to him and my 2 wonderful chairs. I only regret that he was not able to be a part of my defense. I will forever hold his friendship and mentoring in my heart. I know all that knew him will miss him dearly.

By: Kathy Piechura-Couture

Kathy Piechura-Couture — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:35:04 +0000

I had the privilege of studying with Bill at the University of South Florida. He is the type of teacher that all teachers should aspire to be–warm, compassionate, and intensely driven. He was a master of the craft of teaching. I think of him often and hope that just a glimmer of what he left in my heart I can share with my students. He will be missed, but hopefully his life lessons will live on in all of us.

By: Lori Morse-Dolan

Lori Morse-Dolan — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:38:00 +0000

William Morse was my uncle, my dad’s brother. The two in many ways were much alike. I loved him and will miss him greatly.

By: Jean Converse

Jean Converse — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:03:58 +0000

I think it was just one course I took with Bill Morse in the early 50s, as I getting credentials for secondary teaching. I wish it had been more. But this one was a wonderful course, and very significant to me. His reflections on kids he had known (and doubtless helped) was so warm, wise, empathic. Among many other images, I’ll never forget the kid Morse conjured up who suffered the feeling that he had a hole in his head. He felt it, he knew it was there, and it drove him crazy. Why? — because his father had been killed by a shot in the head.

By: Ellen Stone

Ellen Stone — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 12:43:06 +0000

I worked with Bill Morse when he was a consultant, and I was an early elementary teacher at Lakewood Day Treatment Center in Ann Arbor during the years 1986-1992. You know when you meet influential people in your life because their faces and their words stay with you. I will never forget Bill’s face. He was warm, and open and full of smiles. He heard our toughest cases, and always had hopeful, wise, and smart commentary to give us. It makes me sad to know the world has lost him because people like Bill change the world, and make it sweeter. On behalf of all the children I worked with then, and now, I honor his memory. Thank you, Bill, for being there when we needed you. Your work goes on in us. Ellen Stone, Community High School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

By: David Aberdeen

David Aberdeen — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:15:21 +0000

I first met Bill as his student in 1951. (yes, that’s right!) He was an inspiring teacher even then and his passion for children and teachers was apparent.

Our paths crossed many times over the years. His daughter Susan was a teenage volunteer at Thurston School where I was principal. His wife Sunny was a not-teenage volunteer at Burns Park School decades later. Much as I loved and admired these two women, it was Bill who would be a lifelong influence and help me develop my own view on the education of children.

I will miss him; his passion, his integrity and his beautiful heart.
My sympathy to his family and to all who knew and loved him.

By: Adrienne Brant James

Adrienne Brant James — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:44:38 +0000

As has been said many times, Bill was a wonderful person who contributerd magnificently to many aspects of the school and child care fields.

Because of his many contributions, he will be honored at the Reclaiming Youth Roots and Wings Seminars at Wayne State University in Detroit in September. At that time his last book will be distributed to conference attendees. It contains his life-long recollections as reflected in an oral history project set of interviews which he recorded in 1991.

The foreward and tribute will be written by one of his former students, Dr. Larry K. Brendtro of the Circle of Courage resilience program.

Further information regarding this event is available at http://www.reclaiming.com.