Sunday, February 7, 2021

Hello, fellow Interlefties –

This is to let you know that my father, Robert Alan Morris, known to most of you as Bob, passed away peacefully at home from complications due to sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis (sIBM) and Alzheimer’s, on Saturday, February 6th.

I know my dad’s influence and impact has been widespread and worldwide, via his time as a professor at UMass, as a colleague to many in mathematics, vision, biodiversity, and computer science realms, and, for many of you, through his time at Interleaf as one of the first Senior Software Engineers to join after the founders.

In life, my dad enjoyed taking things apart to discover how to put them back together better, whether physical or metaphysical. He was a philanthropist, a world traveler, an avid reader of non-fiction and science fiction, enjoyed a wide array of music, and dabbled in hobbies through the years, such as photography, ceramics, playing Go, and ham radio (which he gave up once Morse code was, to his disappointment, no longer required). He was proud that his Erdös number is three.

His enthusiastic approach to logical discourse at any opportunity will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and students alike. Many of us will forever be able to envision his tilted head and raised finger, waggling at us with an “Ah, yes, but what about….?” insertion into the conversation.

My mother, Celia Morris, my sister, Jennifer Morris, and I hope you will recall him fondly and let others know of his passing. We also encourage you to download and complete the Compassion & Choices’  “My Particular Wishes” document for your Advanced Directives, to help your family members make difficult choices regarding your care should the need arise.

No services are planned. Donations to Doctors without Borders in my father’s name are welcome, or send flowers in his honor to someone you cherish who is still living.

-Rachel Morris
Interleaf, c. 1984-1989