Richard R. Dick Morse

He was born February 24, l944, in Pampa, Texas, to Marie (Stover) and Roger H. Morse. Dick and his sister, Jean, spent their formative years in Marion, Kansas, and he graduated valedictorian from Marion High School in l962. Dick received a Bachelor of Art History from Amherst College, in Amherst, Massachusetts, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Dick married Nathela Chatara in Ashland, Illinois, in 1973.. After their marriage, Dick embraced the culture and traditions of Nathela’s native land, the Republic of Georgia. Together they delighted in their children, Nicolas, Michel and Eteri.

Dick entered into partnership with Ralls Melotte to form Melotte-Morse Architects in 1978. Their partnership grew throughout the years to become Melotte Morse Leonatti Parker, Ltd., a firm specializing in architecture and sustainable design. Among the firm’s many projects were the art glass restoration of Springfield’s Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana-Thomas House, the restoration of the Illinois Capitol dome’s stained glass and the city’s first LEED-certified building.

His love of the arts was reflected in his interest in music, uniquely designed gardens and creative flower arrangements. He especially cherished the home he and Nathela designed and shared with visitors from throughout the world

Dick was a member of numerous organizations including the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Green Building Council Illinois Chapter, the Heritage Foundation and Downtown Springfield, Inc. Among his many community services Dick was a trustee of the Springfield Public Schools Foundation, had been an elder at First Presbyterian Church and held many leadership positions in Rotary International Springfield Sunrise.

In addition to his wife, Nathela Chatara of Springfield, Dick’s survivors include one daughter, Eteri of Carlsbad, Czech Republic; two sons, Nicolas (Karolina) of Prague, Czech Republic, and Michel of Chicago; one sister, Jean (Jim) Slater of Canon City, Colorado; two grandchildren, Mathias and Ketevan of Prague, Czech Republic; sister-in-law Mzia Chatara (Michael Middleton) of River Falls, Wisconsin; and brother-in-law Thamaz Chatara (Katharine).

He also is survived by two nephews, Jemal Oldham-Chatara and Jacob Slater; five nieces, Heidi Slater, Molly (Jason) Schuyler, Eliso Chatara-Middleton (Jacob Nitchels), Lexi Chatara-Middleton and Tessa Chatara-Middleton.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 31, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel in Springfield. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Rotary District 6460 Youth Exchange in care of Alban Haxhinasto, 831 West College, Jacksonville, IL 62650 or to the Acorn Legacy Campaign, Lincoln Memorial Gardens, 2301 East Lake Drive, Springfield, IL 62712.

Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.