Howard Tilton Morse III
September 4, 1957 – January 6, 2024
Howard Tilton Morse III of Meridian, ID, returned home to his Heavenly Father on the morning of January 6, 2024. His family formed a loving circle around him as he embarked upon his final adventure, a peaceful journey home. He was 66.
Howard was born on September 4, 1957, to Dr. Howard T. Morse, Jr. and Arlene Calvert-Hoppe in Los Angeles, CA. The oldest of three children, Howard grew up in California, where he graduated from Glendale Adventist Academy in 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in physics and marketing from Pepperdine University in 1979.
Following graduation, Howard entered a career in the aerospace industry that lasted 39 years. He started in engineering with Rocketdyne / Rockwell International in 1980. In 1982, he transitioned to Skunk Works and later Lockheed Martin in various program management and system integration consultant roles, and in 2000 moved to BAE Systems, Inc. where he served in senior management leadership positions directing large-scale systems integration projects, risk management, technical program planning, and EVMS certification. Howard was well respected in his field by his employers and various governmental agencies for his ingenious technical approaches to complex problem solving and ability to skillfully engage teammates to successfully achieve goals previously not attained. He co-taught proven concepts on collaborative approaches with stakeholders in the US Government at George Washington University. He was honored with numerous achievement awards within the aerospace industry and retired in 2019.
Howard was always the adventurer. He was an avid snow skier, water skier, motorcyclist, skateboarder, hiker, archer, runner, car, gun, and spreadsheet enthusiast. Later in life, he took up mountain biking, road biking, and snowshoeing. He was also part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Law Enforcement Explorer Program. He held aviation licenses for private and commercial helicopters, private fixed-wing aircraft, and was an advanced paragliding pilot.
Howard was a devoted husband and father. He married his sweetheart, Eileen Pritchard, on August 4, 1990, in Long Beach, California. Eileen was his compass and he hers, navigating life’s adventures hand in hand. Howard exemplified a rare combination of someone who had an intense passion for life and a firm understanding of what was important – the simplicity of living a life with those you love, his family. Their bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.
Howard treasured his family. His eyes brightened whenever he talked about their boys, Howard IV and Timothy. Being a father was one of his greatest joys. He and Eileen raised their family mostly in California and for a few years in Virginia. As the boys matured, Howard deeply respected their ability to parent and spiritually lead their own families. They were often the topic of his conversation, with a generous amount of bragging rights. Howard and Eileen felt richly blessed by the daughters that came into their lives through their sons.
Howard’s faith served as a beacon, guiding his actions, and touching the lives of those around him. He and Eileen built cherished friendships through years of dedicated church service extending from serving in nursery to service on the board of directors of a graduated care facility and anywhere in between. His highest priority was his faith in God. Howard volunteered for various church organizations and was a contributing board member for Mission Generation. His service to others remains a legacy of love and reflects his profound sense of spiritual connection. Special thanks are extended to Calvary Chapel in California and Eagle Christian Church in Idaho for their ministry, care and service to Howard and his family. In lieu of flowers, please visit the “Flowers Tab” for contributions towards Mission Generation.
Howard was a true nature enthusiast whose heartbeat was in sync with the rhythm of the wilderness. His love for the outdoors was infectious, inspiring countless adventures and fostering a bond with nature that was as deep as it was beautiful. He cherished any opportunity for adventure, including an extreme pogo stick phase, hiking amongst the aspens (he always claimed they spoke to him), and jumping off a perfectly good cliff with a paraglider … much to his wife’s dismay.
Howard is survived by his loving wife, Eileen; children, Howard IV (Heidi) and Timothy (Michelle); grandchildren, Maximus and Grace; siblings, Pam Garvin and Adrienne Henderson, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends that will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents.
The Morse family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the exceptional care provided by Howard’s care team from Keystone Hospice.
If you would like to share a memory or express condolences, please visit the “Condolences Tab.”
One of Howard’s favorite verses was in Philippians 3:14 which states “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”