Robert B. Judge Morton

Morton, Judge Robert B., 92, died at his home in Wichita on Saturday June 25, 2005. Service 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 2, University Congregational Church. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy and leaves a son, Rob and daughter-in-law, Cheryl of Tucson, Arizona; grandson, Jesse and wife Katy and great grandson, Connor, all of San Francisco, California; granddaughter, Jody also of Tucson and nephew, Tony Lytle of London, England. Judge Morton was born in Webb City, Missouri on October 26, 1912 and moved with his parents Percy and Grace to Wichita at an early age. He was a graduate of Wichita East High School, The University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Law School and admitted to the bar in 1935. Judge Morton joined the Wichita law firm of Kidwell, Darrah, Ball Morton and later the firm of Aley, Morton, Darrah and Mellor. During that period, he was appointed special water counsel by the city commission to represent Wichita in the litigation to obtain the water rights to the Equus beds west of Wichita and the bond issue funding for the Cheney Reservoir which assured the city of a reliable water supply. He also represented the City of Wichita in the Wichita Municipal Airport litigation with The US Department of Defense who wanted to take the airport. The successful settlement of this case resulted in construction of the current Mid Continent Airport. Morton joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and served in the South Pacific for three years. He was engaged in the battles on Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, Guadalcanal and Okinawa. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions on Okinawa. Morton retired from the Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Judge Morton was appointed for eight years to the Board of Regents of Wichita University and was Chairman in 1956 and 1962. He was a principal participant in the effort to enter Wichita University into the state system creating Wichita State University. In 1962, he was appointed Judge of the U. S. Bankruptcy Court where he served until his retirement in 1986. In 1975 and 1976, he was President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. During his tenure on the bench he participated in a ten year effort to rewrite a revision to the Bankruptcy Code which was approved by Congress in 1978. Following his retirement from the court, he joined the Wichita law firm of Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock and Kennedy as “of counsel”. Judge Morton enjoyed hunting, fishing, water skiing, paddle tennis and golf. He was a member of the Wichita Country Club, joining in 1938. Donations in his name should be directed to Hospice Care of Kansas, an organization of exemplary professionalism, competence and compassion. Downing Lahey Mortuary East.