Michael Charles Morris

Michael Charles Morris, father, engineer and talented amateur boat-builder, passed away peacefully on Feb 1st, 2021. He was 86 years old, and is survived by 3 of his 4 children; Richard, Leslie and Kate; and 5 grandchildren; Sam, Oliver, Emily, Matt and Josh. From humble beginnings, Mike developed a lifelong passion for learning. Cycling 8 miles to night-school in Birkenhead while apprenticing at Morgan Refractories in Neston proved his determination to acquire knowledge. From ’57 to ’59 he served in the Royal Air Force at the laser facility on the Isle of Man and married Ann Jones in ’58. In 1960, Mike moved to the Nuclear Physics Research Laboratory at the University of Liverpool, where he worked on the British National Hydrogen Bubble Chamber, and was granted membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1961. This role took him and his young family to Rutherford, Ox., and on to CERN, Geneva to work with the proton Synchrotron particle accelerator. Returning to Cheshire in 1964, Mike accepted an Engineering leadership role at Daresbury Laboratory, which is now an iconic landmark on the Cheshire countryside. As his career flourished, he took on specific responsibilities for engineering training and apprentice programs, enabling a new generation of STEM professionals. He achieved Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in ’78. In 1982, Mike accepted a role as Deputy Director at the Royal Greenwich Observatory at Herstmonceux in East Sussex, generator of the Greenwich Time Signal; and the UK’s most prolific astronomical research facilities. As part of his role, Mike was responsible for the design and construction of the Isaac Newton group of telescopes on La Palma, Canaries, 2,300 metres high on the ridge of a volcanic mountain. This installation provides the most extensive astronomical facilities in the northern hemisphere. Mike moved to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in 1990 as Chief Engineer, supporting SERC research programs across a range of advanced technologies. He was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth in the 1992 Queen’s Birthday Honours, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1994. Throughout his career, Mike carefully balanced his home and work life, with active participation in Round Table, 41 Club, Church, Parish Council, Village Hall; and of course, the design and build of his beloved 40’ ketch yacht, the William Kemp, which, after 25 years of dedication was successfully launched in 2005. A memorial will be held virtually on March 1st. https://www.obitus.com Username: Qego4669 Password: 957658. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mike’s name to the Royal National Lifeboat Association.