Richard Dunn Morse

MALTA – Richard Dunn Morse passed away on Monday, November 7, 2016. He was 66. Rick was born March 21, 1950 to Richard and Rosalie (Scolari) Morse in Heidelberg, Germany. He spent his youth in Rotterdam, NY. Rick graduated from Bishop Gibbons High School and received both his BA and MA from SUNY Albany. After spending 32 years at the NYS Assembly, where he was one of the original authors of Superfund legislation, Rick worked as a senior policy advisor at Ecology and Environment, Inc. He was an avid backcountry and alpine skier, sailor, runner, and Ironman triathlete, passions he continued to enjoy even after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer nearly two years ago. Music was a central part of Rick’s life from an early age and an enduring source of joy that he shared with friends, loved ones, and strangers alike. He began playing guitar as a teenager, but by college had transitioned to pedal steel guitar and dobro. Throughout the 1970's and 1980's he was a member of prominent local band “Badge.” More recently he was an active member of the “Lazy Suns” and “Red Haired Strangers,” and even recorded and released an album of original music with the former earlier this year. Rick is survived by his loving wife, Hope Plavin; stepson Samuel Grondahl; sisters Rebecca Morse Hout (Frederick), of Altamont, NY, Sarah (Sally) Moyer (David) of Rotterdam, NY, and Maureen Ciotoli (Nicholas) of Scotia, NY; brother-in-law Joshua Plavin (Jennifer Curtin); sister-in-law Amy Plavin (William Metzler); as well as several nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his beloved dogs Max and Sophie. Memorial contributions may be made to Saratoga Hospital Palliative Care Service, 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. They may be made by mail or online at https://www.saratogahospitalfoundation.org/donate-now, by designating “Palliative Care Service.” A calling hour will be held at 12 noon on Sunday, November 20, 2016, with a service at 1 p.m. at the Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs. All are invited to attend a celebration of Rick’s life and music at the Parting Glass, 40 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs immediately after the service. Online remembrances may be made at www.tunisonfuneralhome.com