Obituary of Dr. Edwin James Morgan

Dr. Edwin James “Ed” Morgan, 80, of Morgantown passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Mapleshire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. 

Dr. Morgan was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 30, 1937, the son of the late Edwin James Morgan, Sr. and Alberta Marie (Hirt) Morgan.

Dr. Morgan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS and MD, and settled in Morgantown in 1964 to begin an internship in Internal Medicine at West Virginia University. He served his country as an Air Force Flight Surgeon in the United States (Pentagon) and Southeast Asia (Vietnam).  After his honorable military discharge, Dr. Morgan completed his residency in Medicine and served as Chief Resident. He completed a Fellowship in Occupational Lung Disease in Cardiff, Wales, and was honored with an appointment as Fellow in the American Thoracic Society in 1971.  

Ed served the majority of his medical career on the Faculty of West Virginia University and in 1973 he became the Director of the University Health Service (UHS), supervising over 350 Health Sciences Center students and over 300 employees. His door was always open to students, staff and faculty.  All who worked with him or sought his care valued his pleasant, calm and compassionate manner. During his tenure at UHS, his creativity, leadership and commitment to student wellness led him to establishing numerous educational and clinical programs that benefited the students of WVU.

In addition to being a tenured Professor of Medicine at WVU, Dr. Morgan also served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Zimbabwe, Africa, Universitat Mainz, Germany and was a Visiting Scholar of the Asthma Research Unit, Cardiff, Wales

Dr. Morgan was active in medical research giving presentations nationally and at WVU as well as publishing in numerous medical journals. Dr. Morgan established WVU’s Health Service as a member in the American College Health Association. He served as Program Chair, Vice President and President of the Mid-Atlantic College Health Association. In 2001, Dr. Morgan received the honor of Fellow in the American College Health Association.

A Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Morgan had a sub-specialty in Pulmonary Diseases.  He was one of the few certified “B” readers of pneumoconiosis chest films in the state of West Virginia. With his expertise, health care professionals throughout the nation and the world regularly consulted him. He conducted tuberculosis clinics in rural West Virginia for many years.

Dr. Morgan’s teaching history was extensive including lectures for over 20 years to students and residents. In addition to his academic and clinical duties, Dr. Morgan served as a team physician for the Florida Marlins baseball team. 

Ed was a devoted husband and father. He was the oldest of eight children and loved spending time with his large extended family. He embraced meeting new people and introduced many international friends to the beauty of West Virginia. 

Ed was an avid amateur photographer who loved the outdoors, especially camping and hiking in WV State Parks. He never missed watching Mountaineer athletic events, or rooting on the Steelers and the Pirates. He adored sports cars and liked to drive his Corvette convertible with the music loud and the top down.  He was a dedicated runner and finished many marathons with his favorite being the Marine Corps Marathon. He loved dogs and babies and dispensing medical advice. He was humble, stubborn, unconventional, charming and brilliant with a mischievous sense of humor.

Ed is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 53 years, Naomi (Blotzer) Morgan; daughters Katherine Slavic and husband Richard, Theresa Goldsholle and husband Gary; grandchildren:  Evan and Andrew Goldsholle, Kevin Slavic; and siblings:  his twin sister Elaine Wiethorn, John and Priscilla Morgan, Raymond and Sue Ann Morgan, Daniel and Patty Morgan, Mary Frances “Miffy” Morgan, and Mark and Barbara Morgan; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, his sister Ann Heilman and brother-in-law, George Wiethorn, preceded him in death.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. John University Parish on December 2 at 11 am with Fr. Walt Jagela as celebrant.  In lieu of flowers, online donations may be made in his memory to the American Lung Association, www.lung.org.

Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneral.com