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MBARI mourns the passing of former board member Dean Morton

Behind the Scenes

The late Dean Morton served on MBARI’s Board of Directors for 25 years. His decades of executive experience from Hewlett-Packard were instrumental in guiding MBARI during our formative years. Image: © MBARI

MBARI mourns the passing of former board member Dean Morton

As a member of our Board of Directors for 25 years, the longtime Hewlett-Packard executive brought valuable business expertise that helped guide MBARI operations.
A headshot shows a former member of the MBARI Board of Directors wearing a tan bucket hat, white polo shirt, black quarter-zip sweater, and purple vest. The background is a tan cloth tent and bright-green grass.
Dean Morton was a longtime executive for Hewlett-Packard who served on MBARI’s Board of Directors from 1993 to 2018. Image courtesy of the Morton family

Dean O. Morton, who served on MBARI’s Board of Directors for 25 years, passed away on February 16 at the age of 92. Morton played an integral role in the early development of MBARI. He advised staff on the institute’s governance and provided input on our programmatic, organizational, and human resources strategy.

“Dean Morton brought invaluable expertise that helped guide MBARI during our formative years. He had a unique combination of good sense and judgment based on decades of executive experience and was a steady hand at times of turmoil, all leavened by a wry sense of humor. His counsel was instrumental in setting the path for MBARI that continues on today,” said MBARI President and CEO Chris Scholin.

Born on March 21, 1932, Morton earned a degree in electrical engineering from Kansas State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He joined Hewlett-Packard in 1960, serving as engineering manager of the Sanborn Division, division general manager of the Medical Electronics Division, chairman of the Management Council, executive vice president in charge of the Medical, Analytical, and Components groups, and ultimately chief operating officer and director.

Morton retired from Hewlett-Packard in 1992 and joined MBARI’s Board of Directors the following year. 

MBARI staff and Board of Directors observe crane operations for transport of a cylindrical autonomous robot with a yellow body and blue tail cone. The MBARI staff and members of MBARI’s Board of Directors are standing on the gray concrete pier. A blue metal crane is lifting the autonomous robot in the air at eye level with the people on the pier. Two yellow straps are hanging below the robot. The background is Moss Landing Harbor, with several other ships in the distance and overcast gray sky overhead.
As a member of MBARI’s Board of Directors, Dean Morton (second from left) offered valuable counsel to MBARI leadership. Image: © MBARI

He chaired MBARI’s Budget and Finance Committee, sharing insight into the financial practices and procedures from his decades of experience at Hewlett-Packard. As a member of MBARI’s Executive Committee, Morton provided guidance on the institute’s annual budget and other financial matters. He contributed his time and business expertise in reviewing and monitoring the institute’s internal accounting practices and annual audits, providing thorough committee reports to the Board of Directors.

Morton dedicated his life to service and leadership. His broad business experience and genuine commitment to making a difference led him to serve on many boards, including serving as a Trustee for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, MBARI’s principal funder, from 1989 to 2002. 

Morton remained a member of MBARI’s Board of Directors until 2018. MBARI is deeply grateful for his 25 years of wise counsel, tireless work, and valuable service to the institute.

Read more about Dean Morton’s life here.

 

For additional information or images relating to this article, please email pressroom@mbari.org.

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