Chester W. Morse

Chester William Morse, MD, aged 89, shared his remarkable gift of caring with his patients, his family, his community and his Woodlands garden. He was a citizen of the world with a keen interest in learning about and exploring it as much as possible. Born in Brockton, MA, on September 3, 1915, son of Harold Gleason Morse and Anna Winifred Selig Morse, he graduated from Phillips Academy at Andover, Harvard College, and Harvard Medical School. He married Eugenia Pratt (Gene) Slack of Decatur on October 17, 1942. After an internship at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City , he served in the medical corps of the US Army attached to the 35th Infantry Division, was captured by the Germans in France and was a POW from August, 1944 to April, 1945. After his return from the war he settled in Decatur, GA, completed his residency at Grady Memorial Hospital, and practiced Internal Medicine in Decatur for 45 years. A founding physician of the DeKalb Medical Center, he served as President of the DeKalb Medical Society. He was an Elder and Trustee at Decatur Presbyterian Church, and a life member of the Decatur Rotary Club. Upon his retirement at age 72, he volunteered at Jerusalem house, then for ten years at Project Open Hand. In 2002 with his family he donated the seven acres where he had lived and gardened for over 50 years to the Decatur Preservation Alliance to be developed into the Woodlands public garden. He died January 20, 2005 at his home.  His brother, John H. Morse of Brockton, MA and St. Simons, GA, preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Gene Slack Morse; his brother Dr. Harry R. Morse of Hanover, NH; his children and their spouses: Mary Ellen Morse Pendergrast and Dr. Jeff Pendergrast of Atlanta, Dr. Harry Morse and Julie H. Morse of Anderson, sc, and Genia and Kip Duchon and Anne and Jim Topple of Decatur. His grandchildren and their spouses are: Jennifer Topple, Genia and Brian Cayce, Craig and Trasie Topple, Matt, Diana, and Julie Pendergrast, Georgeanna and Ted Goldthorpe, Elizabeth, Chet and Joe Morse, and Anna, Julia and Karman Duchon. A memorial service will be held at Decatur Presbyterian Church at 1:30 on Sunday, January 23, 2005. The family will be receiving friends at the church after the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Decatur Preservation Alliance for Woodlands Gardens c/o Decatur Preservation Alliance; P.O. Box 1764; Decatur, GA 30031.