[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 70 (Thursday, April 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE OF COL. DONALD ``DON'' P. MORSE, D.D.S.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2022

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my good 
friend, Col. Donald ``Don'' P. Morse, D.D.S. Don passed away on March 
24, 2022, at the age of 87. I served under his command while stationed 
at Ramstein Air Force Base (AFB) in Germany many years ago. Don 
influenced my life, and the lives of every other officer entrusted 
under his command, with his unwavering patriotism and steadfast 
leadership.
  He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Christmas Day in 1934. Don 
graduated from Ray High School and went to Del Mar College before 
attending the University of Texas Dental School in Houston. After 
graduating from dental school in 1959, he commissioned into the Air 
Force as a dental officer. Don served for 26 years and had many 
different duty stations, both overseas and state-side. During his last 
13 years, he was the Base Dental Commander at various military 
installations throughout the U.S. and overseas, including Ramstein AFB. 
Don received numerous decorations for his military service. Among them, 
were the Chief Dental Badge and Legion of Merit.
  After retiring from the Air Force, Don was asked to serve as the 
Dental Health Coordinator for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health 
District. He later became the Public Health Administrator for the 
district, overseeing not only Dental Health services but also the 
Health Department Communicable Disease programs, Animal Care services, 
and Occupational Health and Wellness services. Don was instrumental in 
adding fluoride to the city of San Antonio's water, was the Medical 
Logistics Officer for Pope St. John Paul II's visit to San Antonio in 
1987, and worked with various programs such as Head Start. Throughout 
both his military and public health careers, Don sat on countless 
committees, authored several published works, and received many honors.
  He took great pride in his country and community, serving on the 
board of the Beethoven Maennerchor, one of Texas's oldest German 
singing societies, for 13 years. Don enjoyed singing, volunteering, and 
supporting German culture, language, and Gemutlichkeit. He was also 
passionate about riding motorcycles, a pastime that allowed him to take 
in the beauty of our nation firsthand. However, time spent with family 
and friends was Don's ultimate joy. He loved telling stories with 
poetic skill and humor, often times in German. Don never met a 
stranger, and his love for traveling and sense of adventure took him 
all over the world. He is survived by his wife, Iris Morse; son, Eric 
Morse; daughter, Lia Conners, and husband, Skip; granddaughters, 
Isabella Morse, Arianna Morse, Zoe Connors, and Quinn Connors; 
stepdaughters, Jill Rittimann, Julie Ellis and husband, Jeremy, and 
Karen Kricka and husband, Simon; step-grandchildren, Geoffrey Rittimann 
and wife, Katie, Aidan Ellis, Arianna Ellis, Jackson Kricka, Corbin 
Kricka, and Chloe Kricka. Don is preceded in death by the mother of his 
children, Suse Morse. He considered all of his family a precious 
blessing to him.
  Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to celebrate the life of this 
remarkable American, an outstanding mentor who taught me what it means 
to be a patriot. Don was a fine military officer and served his country 
and community with distinction. May God continue to bless his family 
and loved ones, and my heartfelt prayers remain with them during this 
difficult time.

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