Richard "Rick" William Morris

Beloved husband, son, brother, friend, colleague and Eagle Scout, passed away on 10/8/14 at the age of 61 after a long battle with melanoma cancer.

Rick was a teacher, recently retiring from the Rocklin Unified School District with 37 years of service where he was a powerful and positive force in the lives of so many young people. He was born in San Francisco, CA on April 12, 1953 and graduated from Terra Linda High School. Rick went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree with honors from U.C. Davis with a major in biological sciences. He taught seventh grade science for many years at Springview Junior High in Rocklin where he was a mentor teacher and instrumental in developing their annual spring Marine Biology trip to Ft. Bragg. Over the course of years, Rick would acquire several “Explore a Tidepool” tee-shirts in varying colors and wear them proudly.

In 1995 he transferred to Rocklin High School where he first taught Computer Literacy and industrial technology, taking courses to receive his Secondary Teaching Credential. While at Rocklin High School (RHS) he received numerous awards to include “A Teacher who Makes A Difference” and “Employee of the Year”. Most recently he taught in the school’s mass media program with a strong emphasis in photography.

Rick was passionate about photography and he could be found wandering the halls with his camera, wearing his trademark hat, taking candid pictures of the students during lunch, school rallies and at all of the school’s major sporting events. Two highlights of his photography career while at RHS occurred in 2009 when he covered the CIF Basketball Championships at Arco Arena and then covering the CIF State Football Championships in Southern California. He wore his blue Hawaiian style Rocklin High School shirt and “media press” badge proudly!

Rick was so proud of his school and the students and faculty. They were his second family. He would always say that the kids made him feel younger and he enjoyed being around their bright and inquisitive minds. Rick thoroughly enjoyed his teaching profession and was envied by many of his friends because he was so passionate about what he did and because he received so much fulfillment from it. In the morning when the alarm clock went off, he never hit the snooze button. Rick was anxious for the day to begin and was usually one of the first teachers to arrive at school.

Rick was also a Boy Scout and after he earned the rank of Eagle Scout he continued to serve the troop as Senior Patrol Leader and later Junior Assistant Scoutmaster until he left to attend college. Even then, Rick would travel from U.C. Davis to Terra Linda to attend highlight activities of the troop, such as other scouts receiving Eagle Scout awards, attending one or two weeks of the troop’s summer camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains, or participating in the 5-day, 50 mile hike in the Sierras. This illustrated Rick’s general attitude to life – one of service to his fellow man. He was always helping those who needed help the most.

Besides his love of photography he also enjoyed metal detecting. He was always on the hunt for a diamond ring for Sue or a silver coin. Rick and his best friend Dan also enjoyed many happy times duck hunting. Every fall Rick would eagerly look forward to the start of the duck hunting season and spent time preparing his truck and camper for the overnights trips. (Usually, the ducks were safe!)

Rick is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Sue, his mother Angela and sister Alisa. He is also survived by many other family members. Rick was a kind and gentle person who never had an unkind word to say of anyone. To the end, he never complained and he remained optimistic during the numerous treatments and procedures he underwent during the last two years. Rick fought hard to remain with his family and friends. He will live on in the hearts of all who knew him and be dearly missed. Special thanks is given to Rick’s best friend of 36 years, Dan, and Beth, who have both been with Rick and Sue every step of the way during Rick’s long illness.

A celebration of Rick’s life will be held on November 2, 2014 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Rocklin Sunset Center located at 2650 Sunset Boulevard, Rocklin, CA. Please feel free to attend the service in any attire.