Robert B. 'Bob' Morse, 67

Robert B. Morse, 67, passed away Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, after a two-week illness. He was born July 12, 1938, in Minneapolis, the son of Warren W. and Clara (Kroschel) Morse Jr.

He moved with his parents to California at an early age, where he attended Whittier High School.

After high school, Bob served with the U.S. Air Force during which time he met and married his first wife. They later divorced.

In 1983, Bob met Dorothy Simmons at a Parents Without Partners gathering, and in 1986 they married and made Huntington Beach, Calif., their home.

After a motorcycle vacation to the Flathead Valley in 1992, Bob and Dottie decided to make Montana their home and moved to Kalispell in 1994, where Bob worked as a machinist at Semitool until his retirement in 2003. Their move to the Big Sky State led to many travel adventures near and far, most recently a 7,000-mile journey by motor home along the Alaska Highway and Canada.

An avid outdoorsman, Bob also enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and, since his retirement, had taken up gardening. When not pursuing outdoor activities Bob took great pleasure in listening to music; his favorites included traditional jazz, bluegrass and classic rock 'n' roll. His love of music took him to many jazz and bluegrass festivals, and he also volunteered several years for the Glacier Jazz Stampede.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bob will be mourned by his wife, Dorothy Morse, of Kalispell; his children, Karin Sutter, Joseph Morse, and Michael Morse, all of Shelton, Wash., Neil Morse of Olympia, Wash., and Georgianna Alcazar of Maple Valley, Wash.; his stepdaughters, Margaret Simmons of Redlands, Calif., and Katherine Heim of Antelope, Calif.; 14 grandchildren and two stepgrandsons, and four great-grandchildren, as well as extended family and friends.

Funeral services for Bob will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel, with Pastor Jack Shannon officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday at Johnson Mortuary. Urn burial will be afterward at a later date.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607-3421.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Robert's family.