Richard James Morcom ’41

Dick died peacefully July 20, 2005, of leukemia and congestive heart failure.

He was a graduate of Kingswood School in West Hartford, Conn. At Princeton he majored in mechanical engineering and was a member of Triangle Club, the University Band, and Elm Club. Dick roomed with his friend, Art Frank, all four years.

After graduation, Dick joined Sperry Gyroscope Co. of Brooklyn as a development engineer on aircraft instruments and computing of gunsights, continuing through the end of World War II. In 1946, he returned to Hartford as a design and development engineer for Hartford-Empire Co. Dick then joined Monsanto Co. before moving to Springborn Laboratories in 1968, where he was heavily involved in all phases of the plastics industry. He retired in 1984.

During his retirement he was always active in St. James' Episcopal Church in West Hartford. He was president of West Hartford Fellowship Housing, a low-cost elderly housing project. He painted in oils, built ship's models, traveled, and cooked. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Susan, and his brother, Cliff '35. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Hutchinson Morcom; his brother, Bill '43; son Rick; and grandsons, Kagan, Evan, and Gabriel.

The Class of 1941