Morris Spencer, Ph.D.

Morris Nelson Spencer, PhD, of Waukesha died on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 89. He was born in Red Oak, Iowa on September 6, 1921 the son of Ralph Maxwell and Marjorie Miriam (nee Haight) Spencer. He proudly served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII where he completed 35 combat missions in Europe as a B17 pilot. After WWII he remained in the Air Force Reserve until retirement, achieving the rank of Colonel. On December 22, 1942 he married Betty Mae Applequist in Nyman, Iowa; she preceded him in death on October 19, 1999. Morris was a scholar, earning a master’s degree in geography and a PhD in American History from the University of Nebraska. He served as the Dean of Students at Huron College in Huron, South Dakota. He joined Carroll College as Academic Dean in 1957. He was later appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs and eventually Provost. Dean Spencer enjoyed teaching the occasional American History class throughout his career until his retirement in 1985. Morris was a long time active member of the Waukesha Noon Rotary Club and served as District Governor from 1984 to 1985. As part of his Rotary service he helped develop P.E.T.S (President Elect Training Seminars), raised money for the Rotary’s PolioPlus Program and attended six international Rotary conventions. Morris was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Waukesha, and served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA and at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield. He was an avid rock and stamp collector as well as reader. He enjoyed novels, military history and American history books. Morris and Betty traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. He will be sadly missed by his son; Andrew N. Spencer (Rena) of Waukesha, his daughter Sara L. (James) Winkelmann of Waukesha and good friend Royanna Benjamin of Waukesha; five grandchildren: Dr. Erin (David) Spencer-Smith of East Troy, Dr. Grant (Dr. Jill) Spencer of Estes Park, CO, Mara (Dr. Rocco) Perugini of Waukesha, Gregory (Nicole) Winkelmann of Oconomowoc, and Katie Winkelmann of Waukesha, six great-grandchildren: Rosie, Penelope and Cherise Smith, Milana and Daria Perugini, and James Winkelmann. He is further survived by his brother George (Margaret) Spencer of Chandler, AZ along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his wife Betty, his brother Robert preceded him in death.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2011 from 1:00PM until the 3:00PM funeral service at First Presbyterian Church, 810 N. East Avenue Waukesha, WI 53186. Burial will immediately follow at Jerusalem Cemetery in Wales. Memorials are appreciated to the Rotary International Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693, the Waukesha Memorial Hospital Foundation, 725 American Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53188 or First Presbyterian Church (address above). For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave the family an online tribute message.