Robert Peter Morgan

While we are saddened by his loss, we are comforted with memories of his long incredible life. Robert (Bob) grew up in Brooklyn NY, and lived most of his adult life in St. Louis Missouri and Arlington Virginia. Bob earned a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from The Cooper Union in 1956, Masters Degrees in Chemical and Nuclear Engineering from MIT in 1959, and ultimately a PhD in Chemical Engineering from RPI in 1965. Bob was a passionate trailblazer using engineering to solve real world problems.

Bob joined the faculty of the School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis in 1968 to build new research and educational activities on the social applications of technology. His work resulted in the establishment of a new Department of Technology and Human Affairs (THA) in the School of Engineering that he chaired from its founding until 1983. Bob understood that the work of engineers has profound consequences for society through both causing new problems and creating new technology-based solutions to long-standing problems such as poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, racism, and international conflict. He believed that a new kind of engineer was needed who would be equipped to develop new technologies to address existing problems while avoiding creating new ones and who could participate effectively in the political processes relating to technology development and its consequences. Bob was also the first Elvera and William Stuckenberg Professor of Technology and Human Affairs until his retirement from the University.

Between sabbaticals and retirement from the university, he was a science public policy fellow at the Brookings Institution, chairman of the advisory subcommittee of the Technology Transfer Program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a member of the national advisory board program on ethics and values in science and technical at the National Science Foundation (NSF), a member of the commission on research grants at the National Research Council, a Sigma Xi national lecturer, a visiting senior analyst at the Office of Technology Assessment of the United States Congress, and finally a fellow at the National Academy of Engineering. He was passionate about the dangers of climate change and taught courses on it into his mid 80s.

As a young man, Bob was always interested in math, technology and engineering even before they were popular. He was a devoted fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and was heartbroken when they moved to Los Angeles. In his youth, he spent many weekends with friends and family at Coney Island in Brooklyn. Bob had a lifelong love of classical music and at the age of 40 took up the cello and played in multiple community symphonies including the Georgetown Symphony. He took up running in his 40s and entered many races. With his wife Nancy, they made almost annual trips to England with a particular love of the Lake District.

Bob is survived by his son Jonathan and his wife Lorrie, grandson Nicholas and his wife Joanna, grandson Christopher, and many family and friends. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Nancy in 2022 and son Thomas in 2018.

A memorial service for Bob will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the ACLU foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-funeralhomes.com for the Morgan family.