Robert Morgan

Ballard Funeral Home
Full Obit
February 16, 2012

Robert Winfield Morgan

A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00pm, Monday, February 20, 2012 at Ballard Chapel for Robert Winfield Morgan 78, who passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Rev. Garth Hyde, Chaplin of Vista Care will be officiating. Roswell Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites.

Robert W. Morgan was born July 26, 1933 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Robert L. Morgan and Ethel Morgan. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Scott Alan Morgan.

Robert is survived by the love of his life for fiftytwo years, Betty Jo Morgan of Roswell son Robert C. Morgan and wife Monica of Olathe, KS daughters Elizabeth Irene Ronan of Albuquerque, NM and Sandra Alise Donohoe and husband Larry of Rio Rancho, NM Sister Josephine Whitcombe of Manhattan Beach, CA Aunt and Uncle George W. and Lorraine Shanks of Roswell Cousins Charles Warren and Anita Hartley of Roswell, Jerry and Cheryl Ringheimer of Roswell, Howard and Mary Shanks of Capitan, NM, Hank and Linda Banks of California Grandchildren Rachel Fry, Daniel Morgan, Shawn Richard, Ashley Richard, Amy Ronan, Samantha Trowbridge, and Cassandra Donohoe Great Grandchildren Mary Elizabeth Fry, Alexander Richard, Alyssa Richard, and Bailey McClain Nephews Robert, John, and Michael Whitcombe and Niece Kathy Sliff.

Robert W. Morgan served in the Army during the Korean War from July 1953 until June 1956 where he obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant as a Morse Code Translator. After his service in the Army, Robert graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering. Robert was an Electrical Engineer with major companies in the U.S. including Melpar, NCR Corporation, Singer Corporation, and lastly at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

While working at the Los Alamos national Laboratory, Robert Morgan was acknowledged as an expert engineering professional in his realm of work. During the course of his nineteen years at Los Alamos National Lab, Robert took additional graduate coursework with the University of California at Berkley.
In recognition of his professionalism and service, Robert was selected to be one of the first Primary Test and Firing Nuclear Shot Engineer in a joint U.S. and Russian weapons test after the cold war. The name of the test was the NTS Kearsarge.

As a boy and a teen, Robert always looked forward to visiting his aunt and uncle, Lorraine and G.W. Shanks, on their sheep ranch outside of Roswell, N.M. His love of the outdoors that he learned at the sheep ranch carried over into his role as a parent. He encouraged his children to be involved in 4H clubs, teaching them animal husbandry and providing them some of their funniest and fondest memories. Because of these fond memories at the ranch, upon retirement from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Robert returned to Roswell to be close to his extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Even in his retirement, Roberts passion for learning was evidenced in his attendance at Eastern New Mexico UniversityRoswell and in his role as a proctor.


Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com .

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