Charles G. Morris, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, died June 30, 2019 at the age of seventy-eight.

Professor Morris received his B.A. degree from Yale University in 1962, and his M.A. and Ph.D. Degrees from the University of Illinois in 1964 and 1965.

He joined the University of Michigan as an assistant professor in 1965 and was subsequently promoted to associate professor and full professor.  He served as Associate Dean of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts from 1972-1977.  From 1981-1991 he served as Associate Chair of the Department of Psychology.

Professor Morris’ early research focused on leadership, group interaction, and group problem solving.  Later, his publications and presentations focused on various aspects of undergraduate education, on contemporary views of leadership, and on the “Big 5” personality traits.  He authored two major textbooks including Introduction to Psychology (circa 1973) and Understanding Psychology.  Professor Morris was widely admired for his teaching of the massive introductory psychology course, with splendid student ratings.  Equally recognized was his devotion to and expertise in intensively preparing each cadre of incoming psychology graduate students to teach that (and other) courses.  He spent his entire academic career at the University of Michigan Department of Psychology prior to retiring in 2002.

Following his ‘retirement’, Professor Morris wrote the 12th edition and related derivatives of his immensely successful introductory textbook, Understanding Psychology, plus a remarkable six volume genealogy of his family antecedents.  Included among his ancestors was a member arriving in America on the Mayflower, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a Governor of Connecticut, and a key member (Tony’s father) of the Igor Sikorsky team that generated the helicopter.  He also continued his prior ascent through the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary ranks, with promotion to his commission as Commodore, with responsibilities including teaching courses on leadership for incoming officers.  And once again, his administrative skills were recognized in his election as President of the University Commons Condominium Association.

Professor Morris married Penelope Cosgrove Morris in 1962, and had three children, Jonathan, Anne, and Matthew along with many loving grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother Stephen Mackay Morris.

--Contributed by Albert Cain, Professor Emeritus of Psychology