Morrison left his mark in many ways
Inter Lake editorial
The death of Whitefish attorney and former state Supreme Court justice Frank B. Morrison Jr. leaves a deep
void in the Flathead Valley and Montana that won't be easily filled.
The death of Whitefish attorney and former state Supreme Court justice Frank B. Morrison Jr. leaves a deep void in the Flathead Valley and Montana that won't be easily filled.
News of his death both shocked and saddened us. His death at age 68 seemed premature for a man who had been in excellent health. Those who knew him hoped to have him around for another couple of decades.
But the community at large will benefit by the fact that Morrison lived every day as if it were his last. He missed no opportunity to teach and mentor legal colleagues, and he gave much back to the town and state he loved. He shared his money, his expertise and his passion for life in ways that were multi-faceted and far-reaching.
His son John said, "he lived his life with passion and convictions, and helped more people than you can count."
Touching people in such a personal way is a legacy that perhaps trumps every court case he ever won. And he won some high-profile cases. He was a brilliant and accomplished trial lawyer.
His knowledge and experience in the legal arena is widely known. Law books will document the details of his many and varied trials, because he seemingly did it all - product liability, professional negligence, securities disputes, fraud, constitutional rights, employee rights, trust disputes, injured persons against insurance companies.
What's not so easy to measure for most of us is the generosity he saw fit to bestow on so many. Suffice it to say he gave of himself more than most do, and spent a lifetime of giving.
His law partner, Sean Frampton, summed it up best, saying his colleague and friend was "a legend who passed too quickly."
We are saddened today, too, by news of the death of Bette Bohlinger, wife of Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger.
Bette Bohlinger, 70, died Monday of acute leukemia while awaiting a bone-marrow transplant.
Her illness helped raise awareness of the need for blood-marrow donors - including an event last week in Helena to register people for the National Bone Marrow Registry.
She also had a role in a coalition that has pushed for a comprehensive cancer control system for Montana.
Bohlinger was known as an advocate for the downtrodden and often took an interest in issues facing her husband when he was a legislator.
Our prayers are with her husband and family.