Roland Morris ’55

Roly, a classmate with a wide range of accomplishments, interests, and friendships, died May 11, 2021, in Philadelphia. He was born in Philadelphia Feb. 18, 1933, the son of Edward Morris, who was a member of the Class of 1928.

Said former Princeton roommate Ricardo Mestres, “Roly gave his all to anything he put his mind to.” Added former roommate Todd Terry, “It was a sheer pleasure to know him. He was simply a wonderful, delightful friend.”

At Princeton Roly majored in English, joined Ivy Club, and was on the staff of The Daily Princetonian. His roommates were Mestres, Terry, Peter Shea, and Nelson Doubleday. 

After graduation Roly served in the Army, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and joined the Philadelphia law firm of Duane Morris, co-founded by Roly’s grandfather, Roland Sletor Morris, a member of the Class of 1896.

At Duane Morris Roly was perennially listed among The Best Lawyers in America and in one consequential case represented Planned Parenthood pro bono in 1992 at the U.S. Supreme Court as the court restricted but upheld, 5-4, the abortion rights of Roe v. Wade.

Roly served as a director and board member of Planned Parenthood, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the Legal Aid Society, and the United Way. He traveled widely and loved golf, tennis, hiking, sailing, and especially skiing, including heli-skiing in the Alps.

Roly is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sally; son Roly Jr.; daughters Deirdre and Heather; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.