Dr. Russell Moss Morgan

Dr. Russell Moss Morgan, retired physician and longtime Fallbrook resident, died Sept. 24 of natural causes at the Glenbrook Hospice in Carlsbad, Calif. He was 82.

Russ was born March 28, 1929 in Beverly Hills. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School and Stanford University, class of 1951.

He graduated from the University of Southern California School of Medicine in 1958, interned at Los Angeles' Santa Fe Coast Lines Hospital and was commissioned an officer in the US Navy Medical Corps. He was discharged with the rank of Captain in 1961, returning to southern California to open offices in Huntington Beach. He practiced medicine in Orange County for the next 27 years and San Diego County for 10 years.

Russ stepped back from a thriving family practice in the mid '70's to develop a comprehensive program of preventative medicine for the high profile, high stress professionals in law enforcement, fire service and business. He and his doctors added funny words like cholesterol and triglycerides to old favorites like calories and exercise. A busy clinic grew out of this focus on an overlooked, if not entirely new, branch of medicine. Today, executive health programs are as standard part of the business world.

Russ' hospital credentials included, Hoag Memorial Hospital, Newport Beach and Huntington Intercommunity Hospital, Huntington Beach (1962-1975). He chaired numerous committees at Huntington, among them Family Practice, Utilization, Records and Emergency Room. He was Chief of Staff, 1971-72. After retirement, he regularly assisted in the Dependents Urgent Care Unit, Balboa Park Naval Hospital, San Diego from 1993-96.

His medical memberships included Orange County and America Medical Associations, American Academy of Family Physicians, President Orange County Chapter of the Academy (elected Charter Fellow, 1972).

An enthusiastic supporter of Rotary International's program of outreach to children in need, he brought tireless correspondent and counselor to the role of benefactor. His special pleasure was the photographs and letters that came back to him from youngsters in the Third World.

Russ is survived by his wife of 40 years, Katryna; son Chris Morgan of Camarillo; daughter Pam Pearson of Westlake Village and granddaughters Brooke and Haley Pearson.

He was preceded in death by an older brother, Frank, and sister Helen Ann. Internment was private and a Celebration of Life is planned in November.