Richard B Morris
February 15, 1932 - July 2, 2010

"I arrived at Calabar 1967, being the tallest boy in first form does have it's advantages but there is a flip side. When we played cricket at lunch time Murdock would some how always know that I was involved. I started to believe that he had spies in our mist. He was a good man and had a profound influence on my life. I am sorry that I never saw him after I left Calabar to thank him, and apologies for some of the things that I did. Rest In Peace Murdock."

"Mr. Morris: The only man who could crack the code of the mythical 'Natty Corner'"

"I'm saddened to learn of Dickie Morris' death. He's an elect to the pantheon of the most unforgettable. We shan't forget him because we dare not forget ourselves. He sounded the loudest warning against forgetting who we are and, for corrective effect, gave us â??Ã?ú... images of ourselves that deny our nothingness.â??Ã?ù In a most real way, I grew into roles he entrusted to me -- as principal character in ambitious school productions of unfathomable Greek tragedies; as Prefect of Discipline; as constructive analyst of the didactic. I tell you this because I lost the chance to tell him. So, as I rejoice that he lived, I mourn because I didnâ??Ã?ôt tell him how much he influenced our lives, how many of us are grateful that he did, and how many more he influences through those influences he had on us. â??Ã?ú... a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.â??Ã?ù Astor Val-Hackett, Dickie Morris' Student"

"My sincere condolences to the family of the late Richard Morris. My formative school years were spent at Calabar, while Murdock was Deputy Headmaster; and my final years at Wolmers, where he had become Headmaster. I was glad when I spoke to him a little while ago, and made him laugh uproariously, when I told him that I had made it past his early warnings to me - "Boy, if you don't mind sharp, you are going to end up kotching up in Half Way Tree, with a kitchen knife wrapped in a Star in your back pocket." I reminded him of the 4 "undeserved" canings (in 2 days), when I tried to prove that there was nothing wrong with Rabbit Soccer. He still refused to tell me how he knew that Daddy Thwaites and I, were entertaining some ladies at a residence during one Summer. He still wondered, what a "ruffian" like me could have done to Mrs.Jellyman, to make her stand up for me in a staff meeting. Thanks for rescuing me (acceptance at Wolmers), when my tenure at Calabar, was about to come to an abrupt end. Thanks for insisting that I participate in another sport (Field Hockey) while at Wolmers (Captain / and made the Jamaica Team). Thanks for encouraging me to stay and do my A Levels. Thanks for your patience, understanding, and guidance throughout all those years. You were an exemplary educator; and I will never forget you. Peace and Blessings my friend. Charles F. Sang / (Tybalt)"

"Mr Morris positively impacted the lives of many young men as educator, mentor and role model. He was Vice Principal at Calabar when I arrived there in September 1969. My earliest recollection of him is the fact that he knew my name (as well as the names of every student on campus) even though I had only been there a week. In time everyone at Calabar would know my name, but that's a whole other story. A strict disciplinarian, he commanded respect while meting out justice and sound advice in his own inimitable style. His idiosyncracies and omniscient disruption of the most clandestine gathering of misbehaving students is legendary at both Calabar and Wolmers. There is the story of him disrupting the afternoon movie at Carib Theater to gather "skullers" and return them to the fold. When word got out that "Murdock" was in the house, Calabar boys fled the theater and kept running all the way back to Red Hills Road. This despite the fact that at the time Mr Morris was the Principal at WOLMERS, and had been gone from Calabar for several years. Such was the respect he commanded. Mr Morris, Thank You Sir, for all the guidance and life's lessons you taught us. Safe journey home and Rest Easy! Michael W. Schloss President, CHSAA South Florida Chapter"

"My condolances to the family of the late Richard Morris. I was fortunate to be under the guidance of Mr. Morris both at Calabar and then at Wolmers. I had a few "run ins" with Mr. Morris while at Calabar mainly for being in the wrong place at the wrong time - "Rabbit Soccer", "Crown and Anchor" and "Hot Penny" By the time I got to Wolmers I kind of figured out that Mr. Morris was the "Omnipresent Being" and the only way to get by was to behave and fly below the radar. With all my years with Mr. Morris I found an Headmaster who was willing to go the extra mile for his students. He took the extra time with the students that were border line to steer them back. He never gave up on those that were far gone. He knew all the smokers,non-smokers, partiers,dancehall goers, trouble-makers even the nerds. He knew his population well. I will never forget him and in conversations in the near and distant future whether it be about Calabar or Wolmers his name and memory will surely surface. Long live the memory of a true legend. May your soul find eternal peace Mr. Richard "Skippy" Morris Gary Chuck"

"After graduating from UWI in 1974 I went to teach at my high school alma mater Wolmer's Boys School and to work with Mr. Morris who was the principal. Thanks Mr. Morris for having seeing in me what I did not see then, that is, my lifetime calling as a teacher. Today, 32 years later, I am still teaching and many of the methods and strategies that I use, I learned during my years working with Mr. Morris. Mr. Morris had a love for education and the development of mankind that was real and deep. He also enjoyed what he did and caused many of us who taught with him to enjoy our calling and profession. Rest in peace Mr. Morris. Your legacy will certainly live on in our lives because your positive impact. Rupert Rhodd Ph.D Economics Professor"

"Mr. Morris was very influential in my development. He planted some pearls of wisdom which I learned to appreciate as I matured. He was a most sophisticated gentleman yet very down to earth; by example he taught us that these traits were not mutually exclusive. May your soul rest in peace and light eternal shine upon you. Dougie Streete"

"A great Headmaster. The man who made me settle down in high school. "Skippy" told me he knew I had it in me to do well but I was wasting time and if I did not stop wasting time he would make me repeat a year in school. That talk settled me down. I am now a Chemical Engineer running a Business Unit in a Specialty Chemicals Company as their Global Sales Director. Tribute to "Skippy" Owen Chamberlain"

""Murdock" saw in most of us much of what we have proudly become today. He was a true visionary and had become part of many of us story telling. He was a disciplinarian or what would now be referred to as "a necessary evil". Nonetheless, he was always there for many of us and always gave meaningful advise to the active listeners. Murdock is and will forever be part of Calabar "folklore". Good-bye Mr. Richard Morris and may your soul find eternal rest. Terence Braithwaite"

"Certain special people make an indelible impression in your formative years. In retrospect, Mr.Morris greatly influenced the character of hundreds of young men at that sacred plot of land at 61 Red Hills Road. Our Murdock encouraged us to "get off the gully wall" and give our utmost to achieve the highest. Here sir, here sir! Michael McCalla"

"The late great SKIPPY. A definite influence on me entering 1st form with Skippy who had the eyes of a hawk and could see, pick you out and call every name of every student in the school. He knew exactly what we boys were up to and would show up without notice to ensure that we remembered our focus. A supporter of my swimming/school career, I thank you for the influence you had on my life. Hard to believe when persons who influence our lives pass on, especially when its so easu for us to move on in our lives, never turning back to say these things until you can say them no more. Walk good sir....until we meet again!!!!!!!!"

"I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of Richard B. Morris (Dickie to his friends) and referred to as Skippy or Murdock to Wolmer's boys. I was at Wolmer's between 1973 and 1978. I had a rather complicated relationship with Skippy - but one thing I always respected him for was his capacity to listen, and indeed his willingness to be back down when he realized that he was wrong. On a couple of occasions, he accused me of being a "bully" (which I found hilarious, since I was under 5 feet at the time, and the other boys involved were well over 5 ft and outweighed me by at least 10 pounds!). I remember standing before him in his office, and arguing (as a 1st or 2nd former) forcefully that his characterization was wrong. To my great surprise, Skippy, after stroking that grey beard of his a few times, withdrew his accusation, and apologized. As we say in Jamaica, Skippy 'did have him ways', but forgettable, he was not. Skippy's eyesight continues to be legendary among Wolmerians who were at Wolmer's in the 1970s. I won't forget standing on the verandah on the first form block in my cris' new (but prohibited!) track shoes. Within minutes, a prefect appeared by side - to tell me that the headmaster had spotted my transgression (from his verandah) and had summoned me! I was of course duly reprimanded, but I just couldn't believe that Skippy had picked me out from more than 100 meters! He used to call me "Master Sobers". I think it was in the first term of first form that he first addressed me. Like others who've commented before, Skippy had an amazing recall for the faces and names of virtually every boy. Walk good, Skippy... Hilaire Sobers, WBS, 1973-1978"

"Without a doubt the best Principal Womers Boys' School ever had. Skippy was a true gentleman,disciplinarian and leader. He had a great wit and an amazing memory for faces and names. I recall Skippy standing on the office verandah and observing some of us playing "box ball" he would dispatch some prefects to summon us to his office by name. I salute his memory. Marcel Chevannes 1975-1980"

"Without a doubt Mr Morris was a true disciplinarian and leader.It's educators like him that create legends out of schools such as Wolmer's Boys'. I extend my condolences to his family and salute his memory.Age Quod Agis Peter Lue"

"THE PURPLE TIE... THE TAXI WITH THE HANGING DICE! I am very saddened to know that Mr. Morris died. My time at Wolmer's from '73'-'78 was characterised by 'itinerant' visits to his office because of school work 'issues' & box/money-football 'proclivities' .. (teachers were always 'fighting me down'..was my story..and I stuck to it :-). A statesman and man of order who had legendary omniscient qualities his 'all-seeing' eye who could spot my laces untied ..from his office to the LUNCH LINE, and usher a prefect to 'set it right'...His ability to turn up at Carib & Regal to steer the 'wayward sheep' back to the pen..was legendary. I remember him as a fair & reasonable man who was predisposed to excellence in all his initiatives at Wolmer's and had a heart to serve and help many less fortunate. I am a more complete person because of his mercy towards me and I have learned that my qualities as a loyalist continue to serve me well, that I will stand up for people who I respect and believe in, irrespective of what people say/think. The world is a better place because Richard Morris improved lives, showed mercy and had a heart to serve his fellow man with selflessness! Feddy Berry jwolmer@wolmers.info http://www.wolmers.info (Best viewed in Firefox, Chrome or Safari)"

"I attended Wolmer's 1971-1978. Mr Morris was my headmaster . I continue to remember him for his ability to recall the names of all the students. My first awareness of this was while sitting under the Peanut Tree in 1st Form and he came by and call each of us in the group by our name. The significance of this is that like us this was his first few week at Wolmer's. Mr Morris was a disciplinarian and a very fair person. He looked out for the best interest of the students. He used to teach spanish to 1A and my class 1C would get caught running to join the canteen line at lunchtime against his orders. End result having to write about the the five foolish virgins!! I wish him eternal peace and sincere condolences to his family Rest In Peace Skippy Daniel Lindsay President Wolmer's Alumni Association USA www.wolmersnyalumi.org"

"A truly remarkable man. It was an honour to have entered WBS during his tenure, and all my memories carry a common thread, respect, great respect... whether I agreed with him or not. A great leader and a true gentleman, he dispensed discipline in a way which seldom left anyone feeling wronged. I recall being dumbstruck when he was able to call me by name, "young Davis", in my first month at WBS, to point out that epaulettes were indeed a part of the uniform, and the colours were not reversible, as I might have thought. Skippy, I salute you, I thank you. May his family take comfort in the many lives scattered far and wide, which he has helped to shape. We mourn with you. Stephen P. Davis, Class of 1980"

"I attended Wolmer's Boys' School 1967-73, so I was fortunate to experience the leadership of both Mr. Donald Bogle and Mr. Morris. While both were very astute leaders and equally true disciplinarians, Mr. Morris' style was not as regimental as that of his predecessor. You naturally felt more relaxed around him and his demonstrable ability to recall details and the names of individual students was nothing short of being amazing. A truly remarkable man, may his soul rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family. Errol G Reynolds errolrey@msn.com"

"I also attended Wolmers' (19666-1972) when Mr Bogle and Mr Morris were headmasters. Where as Mr Bogle had a very british style as disciplinarian, Mr Morris was much more approachable and I was fortunate to eventually call him a friend after returning from University in Mexico. Rest in peace Skippy."

"I had the pleasure of attending WBS between 1975 and 1982, and it has left an immutable imprint of respect and justice on my life and character. Skippy had a large part to play in that process, and I can't thank him enough. His ability to know what was happening every where left me with the impression he was either omnipresent, or had X-ray vision, and I still don't know which one it was. :-) I recall standing at the foot of the 6th form veranda after PE one afternoon, at the corner facing the assembly hall. I couldn't be bothered to take off my track shoes, since it was the end the day and I would be going home soon. Skippy rounded the corner from his office and stopped, as was his custom, to survey the school grounds. I stood trembling at the other end of the veranda, my feet glued under the veranda wall, hoping he would not approach me and notice I was not wearing school shoes. 'Hamilton', he called. 'Yes, Mr. Morris.' I said sheepishly, wiping the sweat away from my brow, and shocked that he should know my name. I think I was in first or second form at the time. 'Why aren't you wearing your school shoes?' I looked down at my shoes to make sure they were still hidden behind the veranda wall. Rest in peace Skippy. My prayers are with his family. He was a great leader of men."

"First I must express condolences to the family,friends and school community that in some way benefitted from the rich life of Mr. Morris,affectionately called Skippy by us. From being called up in hall prayers while the then GG (Sir Florizel) delivered his speech to being sent for caning by Bombdas after doing the Real Kill Ad in 2D(board floor) while she taught in 1D downstairs, to top it off we would skull school to watch 1:30 matinee at Regal donning house t shirts to cover epaulettes only to see Skippy collecting at the box...next day at prayers u would be told to go to the office without yr name being called...and he knew every jack man by name...out of the 1200 boys he knew us all by name...that was something. He would at times help out with the football boots or the books. He knew all hangout spots as he would turn up at odd times...the mango tree by the tennis court especaially....Skippy was genuine..true disciplinarian and friend. Surprisingly he had a list of all smokers in school..ha ha. R.I.P. Mr. Morris. AGE QUOD AGIS."

"I had the great fortune of meeting Mr Morris who assisted me in attending Wolmers. Having passed common entrance for Charlie Smith High in the volatile community of Arnett Gardens from Jones Town Primary I enrolled in Kingston College extention , after seeing a student smoking a chillum in the chapel I decided KC was not for me. I walked into Wolmers one afternoon after school and (eleven years old and by myself) met with Skippy. I outlined my dilemma and Mr Morris accepted me into Wolmers immediately. Aside from addressing each student by name, being able to stand outside his office and see who was playing box football on the first form block and ensuring you were proud to wear your uniform Mr Morris was a fair , kind compassionate human being who made a great impression on many who came across his path. RIP Skippy"

"I am sad to hear of the passing or Richard Morris. I was eleven years old when I first met him in Kingston, Jamaica. I had just passed the "Common Entrance Exam" from Jones Town Primary School and slated to go to Charlie Smith Comprehensive High School. I didn't want to go to Charlie Smith, and so I took it upon myself to visit Wolmers to speak with the principal, Mr. Morris. (My Mom, a single parent worked during the days.) Though just a child acting on his own, Mr. Morris treated me with utmost respect and invited me to his office where he interviewed me and promised that he would see what he could do to give me a place in the school. I visited him a couple more times and finally he told me he had secured a place for me and invited me to bring my mother to finalize things. My time at Wolmers changed my life forever. I will forever thank the man who treated me with respect, and followed my progress with interest - he would always report to my mother how I was dong at Wolmers. I know I was only one of many, but to Richard "Skippy" Morris, I was an important individual - he had a way of doing that for his students. Thanks Mr. Morris, Walk good. Christopher Cunningham, Ph.D."

"I attended Wolmer's Boys' School in Jamaica, 1973-1980, so Mr. Richard Morris was my Principal for most of my high school sojourn. He had a profound impact on me through his inimitable capacity to know personally, the vast majority of his hundreds of students. He was a true disciplinarian, and it was always amusing to me how he could drive real fear into the hearts of guys who thought themselves fearless. Mr. Morris was always able to demonstrate genuine care for his students. I salute his memory, and offer my prayers and sympathy to his family."