Tribute, Anna Morris, May 4, 2003
My name is Anna Morris (Maurice) and I was David's wife at the time of his death.
It is wonderful to see everyone here, particularly his daughters and Carlotta.
I would also like to thank the Departments of Ophthalmology of Columbia and Stanford for this opportunity to "honor the remarkable life of David Maurice" and Steve Klyce for the wonderful tribute he gave David earlier this morning.
Here I would also like to acknowledge the remarkable kindness of Taka Nagasaki and Jin Zhao to David, particularly in the last few months of his life. They were there for him day and night and I will always be grateful to them for their caring and concern.
David was a remarkable person - and here I would like to quote from Monica Berry's email of condolence, "Not one in the common mould. Easy to admire; demanding love; hard to emulate." Monica, you were spot on.
David and I met a little over nine ARVOs ago and as you can imagine, for the eight and a half years we were together there were very few dull moments. For a start, David didn't like routine - it stifled creativity. Variety in all things was the spice of life - I had to watch out for that one!
All of you here knew him, his wit and keen sense of humor, his boundless curiosity about everything scientific, about the world, about us. He hated hypocrisy, religion and women who wore make-up. He loved classical music and opera but would only listen to music when he could give it his undivided attention. I, on the other hand, like to be surrounded by music and I will be eternally grateful for wireless earphones.
David was also an avid and talented tennis player - inconsistent but good enough to play competitive league tennis well into his 70's. And he was a mean ping-pong player.
I don't think it will shock you to know that this mild-mannered Englishman was a man of passion. He LOVED his three daughters and their children absolutely and included me in this magic circle so that he and I could share this love. He was a lion for them.
His family aside, David's greatest love was his work - there were many nights when I would call his lab at 9 or 10 o'clock at night to remind him to come home.
As you can imagine, with a man like David, there are many stories, but we'll just have to keep them for another day while I follow another David caveat to "keep it short."
Thank you.