D. Patrick Morton

Pat was born in Portola, California on August 24, 1947 to Glenn W. Morton and Ida Rhodes Morton. He married Becky Meyer on January 1, 1991, and she survives. When he was five years old, Pat’s family moved to Elko, Nevada, where he went to grade school and high school. He later attended Utah State University where he met and married Lynda Kalkwarf, and they had two children. He completed his post-graduate education at the University of Colorado and served in the National Guard.

Pat worked in health care consulting for 10 years, specializing in academic health centers, including an assignment in Trinidad. In 1979, he accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer for University of Missouri Health Care. During his time there, Pat was instrumental in obtaining funding for many of the renovations that are evident today. He also was an adjunct faculty member in the MU School of Health Professions.

Beginning in 1993 and throughout the remainder of his career, Pat served as University of Missouri Director of Institutional Research, where he supported the provost and chancellor in a senior advisory role focused on strategic planning. His innovative approach and systems analyses across all dimensions of the University greatly helped MU to continue its enrollment and research growth while adjusting to complex financial challenges. He developed an emergency lending program for international students who were harmed by the 1997 Asian financial crisis and provided strategic planning and budget advice to MU’s partner institution in Thailand, Prince of Songkhla University. Throughout his Mizzou career, Pat was a devoted and enthusiastic Tiger fan who never failed to cheer on his team. He fully retired in 2015.

In addition to spending time with his family, Pat enjoyed traveling. He and Becky took numerous road trips throughout the United States, plus several international journeys, and enjoyed spending time at their family home in Escondido, California. Pat had become interested in tracing his family history in recent years, going back five generations.

In addition to his wife Becky Morton, Pat is survived by two children: Bree (Robyn) Morton, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Brad Morton, Charles City, Iowa; four grandchildren: Sophia Lane Morton, Alexander Reed Morton, Ian Patrick Morton and Ella Suzanne Morton; two brothers: Mike (Valerie) Morton, Reno, Nevada, and Bob (Cecily) Morton, Salt Lake City, Utah; brother-in-law, Bill (Cheryl) Meyer, Las Vegas, Nevada; Lynda (Tom) Plymate, Shelbyville, Indiana; and nieces and nephews: Andrea Sullivan, Steven Morton, Melissa Harmon, Glenn Morton, Valerie Petersen, Richard Morton, Craig Morton, Randy Morton, David Morton and Terry Morton; plus several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Glenn Morton; niece, Lisa Morton, niece, Patty Spencer; and nephew, Ricky Morton.

Contributions in Pat’s honor may be made to his long-time favorite charity, Children’s Miracle Network, at University of Missouri Health Care, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212 or online at Children’s Miracle Network.

Due to COVID-19 the services will be private. However, you can view the service live through the Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Memorial Park Cemetery Facebook page.