Walter Morrow

Of Weston passed away peacefully, Sunday, February 12, 2017, at his home after a lengthy illness. He was 88. Born and raised in Springfield, MA to the late Walter E. Morrow, Sr., and Mary "Molly" (Ganley), he has been a longtime resident of Weston. Mr. Morrow was a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received his Masters and Doctorate Degrees. Shortly after graduating he joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory in 1951, where he spent his entire career. In 1952 he devised what is believed to be the first fli-flop transistor. During his time at Lincoln Laboratory he was involved the research and development of ionosperic and tropospheric communication techniques. Included among his many achievements are advances in orbital scatter communication, orbital dipole experimentation, communication satellites, lunar and planetary radar studies, and a patent for a synchronous satellite. He also pursued research in electric power plants using electrolytic cell-fuel cell combinations. From 1977 to 1998 Walter served as the director of Lincoln Laboratory and was named Director Emeritus in 1998. Walter served on many advisory committees, the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel, the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, and the NASA Advisory Council. He was the recipient of many awards, including the Edwin Howard Armstrong Achievement Award from the IEEE Communications Society and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Medal of Merit Award. Mr. Morrow received the Outstanding Public Service Award by the Department of Defense for his his "exceptionally outstanding public service as Member and Senior Fellow of the Defense Science Board, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics), from January 1987 to September 2009." In Walter's spare time he enjoyed hiking, swimming, and making maps. He was a member of the Concord Scottish Country Dancers, but most of all he was a loving and caring son, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was the beloved husband of 65 years to the late Janice (Lombard) Morrow. Walter is survived by his devoted children Clifford Morrow and his wife Kathryn (Atwood) of RI, Gregory Morrow of Gloucester, and Carolyn Morrow and her husband Michael Rowen of CA, his cherished grandchildren Glenn and Keith Morrow, and his great grandson Nolan. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours from the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons, 773 Moody St., Waltham Thursday from 6 to a 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. immediately followed by a Graveside service at Linwood Cemetery in Weston. Parking attendants will be on duty.