The University of Toledo

Henry L. Morse (1908-1982)          

When Henry L. Morse's term on the Medical University of Ohio of Ohio Board of Trustees expired in 1979, it marked the end of an illustrious career for the well-respected Toledo banker and civic activist.

For more than 50 years, Mr. Morse had made himself available and was associated with the founding and development of educational, recreational, cultural and charitable programs.

So it was not surprising that when Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes asked Mr. Morse in 1970 to serve on the Medical University of Ohio Board of Trustees, the Toledo Trust Co. executive readily accepted. He was elected chairman in 1971, serving in that position until 1979.

By virtue of his involvement and collaboration with a wide variety of civic and business leaders, Mr. Morse, former senior vice president, secretary and director of the Toledo Trust Co., who was 74 when he died in November 1982, was one of the most influential figures in Toledo.

His name was linked with nearly every major civic fund-raising drive in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, including a major capital campaign for the University Medical Center.

He was a member of the MUO Foundation, which raises funds to assist the college. He was chairman of the MUO Foundation Council, which was formed to support the successful $7 million fund-raising drive for the University Medical Center. He was also instrumental in obtaining gifts from the Dana Corporation and related foundations to build the Eleanor N. Dana Conference Center.

His job at the Medical University of Ohio was his "most rewarding" and his position as president of the Toledo Mud Hens gave him his "greatest enjoyment," Mr. Morse told a magazine writer in 1978.

In a 1979 interview, after his term as trustee expired, Mr. Morse reflected on his involvement with MUO.

"I think that the major factor in the growth of MUO has been the wonderful cooperation it has received," he said. "MUO is on its way to becoming one of the finest institutions of its kind in the nation because of the support we have received from the state of Ohio, Lucas County, the city of Toledo in the public sector; from the people of Toledo and northwest Ohio; from the media, from the medical profession and community hospitals; from the faculty and staff of the college itself--from business and industry--in fact from every possible area. I guess what really pleases me is seeing the dreams of the founders of MUO coming to fruition"

Industrialists indicated their respect for Mr. Morse, at the time of his retirement from the Board of Trustees, by contributing more than $250,000 to establish the Henry L. Morse Institute of Health at MUO.

He was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree by MUO in 1980.

"His dedication to the college, his advice and counsel have been invaluable," MUO President Richard D. Ruppert, M.D., said in eulogizing Mr. Morse. "There is no way to measure what his professional guidance and total contribution to this college have meant to the students, faculty and staff of this institution--not to mention the community at large."

Mr. Morse was actively involved in creation of Lucas County Recreation, Inc., which led to building the present Lucas County Recreation Center in Maumee in the mid 1960s. He continued to serve as president of the nonprofit corporation.

He was also active in arranging financing to return the minor league team baseball franchise to Toledo--the Toledo Mud Hens-- and was president and director of the baseball club.

A graduate of Scott High School, he began his banking career while still a student, working at the former Security Bank. He started as a messenger and worked his way up to manager of the collection department there. He was also still in high school when he took on his first community project--helping organize the Toledo Amateur Basketball Federation in 1924.

He attended the University of Toledo and graduated from the College of Graduate Studies of Banking at Rutgers University. He was conferred an honorary degree of doctor of commercial science by UT.

He began his career at Toledo Trust in 1931 as commercial teller. He was named assistant treasurer in 1943, vice president in 1949, senior vice president in 1960 and a member of the firm's board of directors in 1967.

He was named secretary of the bank in 1968 and was in charge of the securities division. He continued to serve as a consultant after his retirement in 1973.

Active throughout the business community, he served on the board of directors of several other area institutions, including the former Community Traction Co., the former Kostin Corp., an investment management company; and the former Overland Corp., an investment firm.

Mr. Morse also held leadership positions with the Lucas County Saving Bond Committee, Greater Toledo Community Chest Finance Committee, Lucas County Recreation Inc., Toledo Orchestra Association, and Toledo Zoological Society.

Mr. Morse also was chairman, treasurer and chief spokesman for the United Toledo Committee, a citizens committee that provided financial support for promoting issues in local elections.

He inaugurated a talk show believed to be one of the first in the nation called "Security Square," which was carried weekly on WSPD radio and television. The show featured appearances of local executives with Mr. Morse as host.

He also held positions of leadership with the Toledo-Lucas County Safety Council, Catholic Club, Toledo Orchestra Association, Clear Water, Inc., Diocese of Toledo, Model Cities agency, St. John's High School, Health Planning Association of Northwest Ohio, St. Luke's Hospital Campaign and Charities Foundation.

When he died in 1982, the MUO trustees passed a resolution expressing the great personal loss they and the college administration felt. It read in part: "The Medical University of Ohio was the fortunate beneficiary for more than a decade of the wisdom and leadership of Henry L. Morse, a gentleman and one whose passing truly leaves a void in the entire community.

"There is no way to measure the number of individuals whose lives he touched as he counseled leaders in industry, business, education, religion, politics, social organizations, and community agencies during fifty years of dedication to his fellow human beings."

At the dedication of the Henry L. Morse Physical Health Research Center in December 1986, MUO was praised as a pioneer for its decision to develop the research and fitness center.

F. Story Musgrave, M.D., physician/astronaut 19 years for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, told guests at the dedication that what makes the Morse Physical Health Research Center a pioneering effort is the fact that "we do not have all the statistical proof" about the benefits of exercise to long-term health care.

It is through research facilities such as the Morse Center that science will determine the effects of exercise on wellness, he said.

In 1998, a mural depicting Mr. Morse's involvement in business and civic affairs was completed in the center's reception area.