Dr. Roland R. Morgan

Aug. 25, 1925 - May 8, 2010

CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Dr. Roland R. Morgan, age 84, died on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at his home.

He was born in Hiawatha, Kansas, on Aug. 25, 1925, to Dr. Isaac and Alice Morgan and grew up in Steele City, Nebraska. He graduated from Steele City High School and enlisted in the Army Air Force after graduation.

After serving in the military, he attended the American Technical School in Des Moines, Iowa, for Airplane and Engine Mechanics Training. Roland loved to fly his airplane and worked as a crop duster and airplane mechanic before entering college at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he earned membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He attended medical school at UNMC in Omaha and graduated with distinction. Dr. Morgan did his internship in Phoenix, Arizona, and his residency at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. There he met Jacqueline Forsberg, who was a nurse at Immanuel. Dr. Morgan along with Dr. Gene Gross opened a clinic in Cambridge in 1958 and began seeing patients and working at the newly opened Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

Roland and Jaccie were united in marriage on Jan. 25, 1959, and made their home in Cambridge, where they raised five children.

Dr. Morgan dedicated his life to practicing medicine and served the community as a general practice physician who was "on-call" day or night. Dr. Morgan became a vital force in Cambridge and surrounding communities for many years until his retirement in 1995. Dr. Morgan also lived in Arapahoe for several years, offering medical service for patients in the clinic there. Over the years, he took an active role serving several terms on the Cambridge City Council, the Cambridge Airport Authority, and the Cambridge Housing Authority. Dr. Morgan also served on the board of the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department working to improve medical care in rural communities.

He was a member of Rotary International, a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ for many years and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Cambridge at the time of his death.

His parents, Isaac and Alice Morgan, his sister, Geraldine, and brother Christopher preceded Roland in death.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Morgan; sons, Greg of Topeka, Kansas, Eric and wife Erika of Omaha; daughters, Joan and husband, Eugene Koch of McCook, Suzanne of Kearney, and Sara Minnick of Broken Bow; grandchildren, Melissa, Jacob, and Amanda Morgan, Stephanie and husband, Oscar Montes, Morgan Koch, Hollie and Ian Thomas, Gabrielle, Grayson, and Hunter Minnick, Andrew, Colton, and Tara Morgan,

Roland Morgan was known to many far and wide as "Doc," Dr. Morgan, Roland, Ron, Dad, and even "Papa Doc" to his many grandchildren and other children in the community. No matter who called, he was always there to serve others. Dr. Morgan gave selflessly and tirelessly to helping others and caring for their families. Ron and Jaccie had just celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in January of this year. Ron Morgan was a model of hard work and dedication, and his family will always be grateful for the time they were allowed to spend with their dad.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Cambridge with the Rev. Sherry Sklenar officiating. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery at Cambridge.

Visitation today 9 p.m., at the Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge. Military Committal will take place at the graveside.

Memorials may be made to Tri-Valley Medical Foundation.

"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." ~ Thomas Campbell