Robert S. Morris

Born in San Antonio, Texas to Hannah Deutchman Morris Gaines and John Gideon Morris, Robert attended the Phillips Exeter Academy where he was a Prep School All-American swimmer.

Later, he went to Stanford University where he swam on the varsity team and earned his undergraduate and master's degrees in architecture.

He then served his country in the US Army as an officer in the field artillery and later in military intelligence.

After his military service, he moved back to San Antonio where he married the love of his life, Lillian Maverick Padgitt.

They were married for 45 wonderful years.

A skilled and creative architect, Robert designed such varied edifices as the Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health, the Southwest Airlines Reservation Center in San Antonio, Saint Mary's Hall Chapel Theater, and countless private homes.

He remodeled the Chapel House at the Bishop Jones Center of the Diocese of West Texas, Capers Hall at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, San Antonio, the gift store at the Alamo where he was the staff architect for a time and numerous other buildings and homes.

He was a close friend of many of the clergy and was deeply involved in the Episcopal Church.

He served on the Diocesan Development Committee, was Chariman of the Diocesan Commission of Church Building and participated on the Mustang Island Conference Center Development Committee.

He served on the Vestry and was Senior Warden at both St. Mark's Episcopal Church and Christ Episcopal Church in San Antonio.

Memberships and societies include the American Institute of Architects AIA, Past President of the Order of the Alamo, the San Antonio German Club, the Conopus Club, the History Club, the San Antonio Country Club and the Argyle.

Preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather Arthur M. Gaines, father-in-law James T. Padgitt, brother Arthur John Gaines and sister-in-law Day Padgitt Kuntz,

Robert is survived by his wife, Lillian Padgitt Morris and his children Catherine & Hans Helland, James & Sally Morris and Hannah Morris; brothers John Gideon Morris, Jr., Thomas Joseph Morris, David Gaines and Michael Gaines; mother-in-law Lillian Maverick Padgitt and sister-in-law Jane Maverick Padgitt; grandchildren Sarah Helland, Will Helland, Lily Morris and Zoe Morris.

He is also survived by his great aunt Mrs. Joseph S. Morris, many Morris cousins and countless Maverick cousins-in-law.

Robert felt a special bond with his office associates: Bill McDonald, Inge Niemiec, Ida Spence and the late Selima Blankenship. They were like family to him.

Above all, Robert Morris was a true gentleman.

Honest and guileless, he was just as genuine behind the scenes as he was in public.

He always gave more than he received. Gracious and generous to all, he was a man of uncommon wisdom and a loving Christian.