Fred Morgan
Introduction
Fred William Morgan, Professor Emeritus, Wayne State University, passed away 23 Aug 2024
POSTING TYPE: Obituaries
Posted by: William Jones
Fred William Morgan, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus (Wayne State University)
Fred William Morgan, aged 78, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2024, in Oconomowoc, WI, after a prolonged illness. Born on November 13, 1945, Fred grew up on a farm in Kentland, Indiana, and later graduated from Purdue University before earning his doctorate in marketing at Michigan State University.
Fred retired from Wayne State University as an Emeritus Professor, marking the end of a long and distinguished career in academia. This was Fred’s second tenure at Wayne State, where he was previously full professor and chair of the Marketing Department.
His extensive publication record established him as leader in the discipline, as did his service on the editorial boards of its major scholarly journals. His work was published in many major journals, including the Journal of Public Policy and Marketing, the Journal of Marketing, the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, the Journal of Consumer Research, among others.
Fred was especially recognized for his many contributions to research in public policy and marketing. He was the most prolific scholar in the first decade following the launch of the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, where his work helped shape the discourse on marketing’s role in formulating public policy.
Fred was generous to his faculty colleagues with both his time and support. He took pride in mentoring junior colleagues who needed guidance, and sometimes a bit of a push, to establish a publication record that would help boost them over an upcoming tenure hurdle.
Following his first tenure at Wayne State, Fred moved on to assume a chaired position at the University of Oklahoma as the Siegfried Professor in Marketing, where he also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law. He later joined the University of Kentucky as the Ashland Professor of Marketing, where he also held leadership roles, including Director of the MBA Program and Director of the School of Management. Fred rejoined Wayne State University later in his career, again assuming the role of Department Chair before returning to a faculty position and eventually retiring with emeritus status.
His peers throughout the field thought highly of him for both his scholarly accomplishments and his warm collegiality.
Beyond his professional achievements, Fred was a devoted husband, father, teacher, mentor, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Hughes-Morgan, Ph.D., his son, Todd Morgan, and daughter-in-law, Stefana Morgan, M.D., of San Francisco, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Fred was predeceased by his parents, Fred Sr. and Bertha, and his sister, Jo Ann.
Fred’s impact as a scholar, teacher, and mentor was deeply felt by his students and colleagues. He was known for his sharp intellect, humor, and the warmth he brought into every room. Donations in his memory can be made to The Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County.
A memorial service to honor Fred’s life and legacy will be held at a later date.