Walter Wilson Morgan

Many students, parents, and fellow teachers in the Upper Arlington, OH School District believe they lost one of their legendary teachers when Walter Wilson Morgan 87 passed away on September 11, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Walt was born October 28, 1937 in Shawnee, OH to the late Walter and Myrtle (Harrop) Morgan.Upon graduation from Ohio University in 1962, Walt began his meaningful 33 year career in education at Fairfield, OH where he taught physical education and "hands on" science. Before he left the district in 1969, he got his Masters degree at Miami University and also served as assistant principal at the largest elementary school in Fairfield. After moving to Columbus he did post graduate work at The Ohio State University and also got his Principal's Certificate.While in Fairfield, Walt's principal and friend decided Walt needed to be married and assured Walt he would look for suitable single candidates who were also teachers. In1964 Walt and Sandy met at the first district wide teacher's meeting and had their first date in October. Sandy took him to meet her parent's in TN for Thanksgiving and they were married on Christmas Eve of that same year. Sandy's parents had also married on Christmas Eve. The pundits were wrong when they predicted the marriage would not last. Walt and Sandy celebrated their 60th anniversary this past December 24th.In 1969 Walt and Sandy moved to Columbus to be closer to their summer home at Burr Oak Lake in southeastern OH. Their 3 month summers were spent playing golf, hiking, boating and getting together with Walt's Shawnee friends.Walt was hired by the Upper Arlington School District to be one of three consultants for their elementary science program. He quickly gained a reputation for his "hands on" science lessons and the great field trips he planned to enhance different science subjects. Teachers and children were always excited when they learned Mr. Morgan was coming to their classroom to talk about aviation, make paper airplanes and then take a trip to Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Another favorite trip was to Ohio Caverns when they were studying geology .Walt's last five years of teaching were spent at Jones Middle School teaching science.He was also asked to take the leadership role of Director of Outdoor Education for both of the middle schools. He planned and coordinated taking all 6th grade middle school children, along with their 6th grade teachers, a nurse and UA high school seniors to serve as counselors at Camp Otyokwa in the beautiful Hocking Hills. The program allowed all students to spend 3 days and 2 overnights in rustic cabins and enjoy being outdoors. The curriculum was to be centered around the study of geology, astronomy, and native wildlife. The program would eventually become the longest running enrichment program within the UA curriculum. Many students probably still remember going through "Fatman's Squeeze" , trudging up "Backbreaker Hill" ,presenting their cabin skits around the campfire, calling in the 'Barred Owl', and singing camp songs led by Mr. Morgan playing his guitar.Walt and Sandy were blessed with David Ryan in 1976 and Kelly Kristine in 1979. Walt was a wonderful father and never missed a teacher's conference, play, musical or sporting.event. He also coached David's baseball team, and later Kelly's basketball team at Jones Middle School. He wasn't just a good father, he was a good role model of what a father should be. Kelly still calls him her Hero.Walt and Sandy both retired from teaching in1995 and started enjoying traveling to Hawaii, Italy, France, England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland as well as many of the US states. In 2003 they made a "life changing" decision when they made a trip to watch their beloved Buckeyes play Miami (FL) and win the National Championship at the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe AZ. Having fallen in love with the sunshine and mountains in AZ they returned the following year and rented a condo for the month of February. Before they left at the end of February they made an offer on a condo and it was accepted.The rest is history and they spent the next 20 years in Apache Jet. AZ during the cold OH winters. They hiked the mountains with their new friends from the western states and Canada, and formed a singing group they called The Roadrunners. They found retirement challenging, exciting and fulfilling.Walt will be remembered for his quick and sometimes naughty sense of humor, his positive attitude, his love of singing and playing the guitar, his love of dogs and cats, and especially his love and devotion to family.He leaves behind his adoring wife, Sandy, who was always his best friend and closest confidant, along with his wonderful children David (Laura) Kelly (Bowie), and granddaughter Emily Grace, brother-in-law Hugh Irwin (Janice),our Biandudi/Hofer family, three childhood friends from Shawnee: Walt Harrop (cousin), Charles Peart, and Don Worle and many amazing friends and neighbors.Please, In lieu of flowers, Walt asks that you consider a donation that will benefit the care and welfare of animals, such at the Columbus Humane Society, 3015 Scioto Darby Executive Court, Hilliard, OH 43026, or buy a bouquet of flowers for someone you love.An old headstone in Ireland carries these words "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." To the many who knew Walt Morgan will come the heartache of learning he has died. And to all of us who loved him has come great memories no one can ever steal.