Robert Hale Morrison (“Bob”), 86, of Naples, Fla., and Oak Bluffs died peacefully on August 2, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Born in Waltham on April 10, 1940, Bob was raised in Belmont, one of seven children of John Christopher and Margaret Matheson Morrison, alongside his adoring Nana, Asenath Matheson Morrison. He graduated from Northeastern University in 1963, and served as a U.S. Army Signal Corps officer, spending three years in Germany and attaining the rank of captain.
Bob joined Fidelity Management & Research Co. as an equity trader in 1968, was selected to lead equity trading in 1985, and ultimately became vice president and head of global equity trading. Over nearly 30 years, he guided the equity trading desk through tremendous growth and technological transformation. At his retirement in 1998, it was the world’s largest equity trading desk by assets traded.
Bob carried authority without demanding attention. Deliberate and measured, he listened closely and spoke with purpose; when he did, people listened. His intelligence, understated humor, and steady presence made him a trusted leader. He treated everyone with equal dignity, and instilled in his children hard work, humility, loyalty, and integrity. His family called him the man who “spoke the least and said the most.”
Bob met Susan (“Sue”) Gura of Wellesley Hills, and they married in 1970, and moved from Boston to Topsfield to start a family. Their old colonial farmhouse had doorways so low that 6-foot-3 Bob had to duck between rooms. In 1980, they moved to a beautiful Victorian in Beverly Farms that needed work, but mercifully had high ceilings. They celebrated their 56th anniversary in July.
In retirement, Bob and Sue traveled abroad, spent winters in Naples, and enjoyed long summers at their cherished Oak Bluffs home. On the Vineyard, Bob played golf, read, and competed fiercely at backgammon on the porch, and savored fine food, wine, and conversation. He was known for his blended coffee, famous rum punches, generous tips, and frosted lemonade “cocktails” made for his grandchildren.
Bob never forgot his modest beginnings. They made him prudent and self-reliant, but also deeply generous. He was devoted to his family, especially Sue, remaining by her side as her needs increased. His accomplishments never made him self-important; his greatest influence came from the example he set.
Bob is survived by his wife, Susan Morrison; his son, Todd Morrison, and Todd’s wife, Stephanie Nelson, and their children, Henry and Grace, of Boston; and his daughter, Sage Pagano, and Sage’s husband, Dan Pagano, and their children, Miles and Julia, of Hingham. He is also survived by sisters Peggy Bukoski of Stoneham and Mary Jane Mahoney of East Providence, R.I. His siblings John Morrison Jr., Donald Morrison, Murdock Morrison, and Asenath Bellino predeceased him.
In accordance with his wishes, Bob was laid to rest in Oak Bluffs on August 19, surrounded by his closest family. It was fitting that his final resting place would be on Martha’s Vineyard, where everything was “good good!”
