Princeton Class of 1966

Richard Greer "Tiny" Morgan (1943-2026)

Tiny's Celebration of Life will be livestreamed and is scheduled for 3:00PM CT on Monday, June 29th @ Montgomery United Methodist Church (https://www.mumctex.org/), located @ 22548 HWY 105 W, Montgomery TX. (936-597-6162). The ceremony will be followed by a reception at the Morgan family home. If you are able to attend, wearing the 50th Reunion Jacket is entirely appropriate, and Tiny would have loved it. For the livestream, click here; at 3:00 PM CT (4:00 ET) or shortly before, there will be an icon for Tiny's service on the church's page.

About Tiny

Richard “Tiny” Morgan died June 14, 2026.

Tiny came to Princeton from Houston’s Lamar High School, where he played football and was president of the Mixed Chorus and his fraternity.

At Princeton, he majored in history and was social chairman of Key and Seal and assistant IAA chairman. His comedic turns in Triangle Club productions never failed to bring the house down.

On campus, it was hard to miss Tiny. He was a commanding presence, both physically and in personality. His infectious enthusiasm was always on display. It was hard to be around him without smiling, if not laughing out loud.

After graduation, Tiny earned a law degree at the University of Texas, then joined the D.C. office of a major law firm, where he specialized in energy law. He was an anchor of the D.C. Princeton ’66 monthly lunch club.

After some 30 years in Washington, he was recruited to manage the Houston office of a major national law firm. That office grew to over 50 attorneys before Tiny retired.

Along with Turk Thacher, Tiny was co-chairman of Class Reunions for many years. He brought the same exuberance to Reunions that he had exhibited on campus as an undergraduate.

For decades, he interviewed high school seniors seeking admission to Princeton, no doubt with the same enthusiasm the he brought to other all Princeton activities.

Tiny retired from law practice at the end of 2005. He and his wife, Betty Lou, moved to a home on Lake Conroe, north of Houston. In retirement, he enjoyed reading, traveling, playing tennis, and singing.

The Class extends its heartfelt condolences to Tiny's family and loving friends.

Two with Betty Lou, on a celebrity cruise and at home

Nassau Herald

Classmate Memories and Tributes

Dave Ames:

Tiny was one of our foundational classmates, so responsible for the joie de vivre of the class. He gave us his unbridled energy and indomitable spirit. Now, feeling the loss, the words of our own Reverend Tim Smith spoken at Reunion’s Service of Remembrance provide solace in a very direct way.

"We grieve together today for the loss of our deceased classmates, but we also celebrate their lives and their friendships which thanks to God’s grace have brought joy, gratitude, and hope to our lives. May we also sustain and grow our friendships and stay connected with those classmates here today and with those who could not be here because of illness or distance."

Bob Rawson:

Richard G. Morgan, known to so many, friends, classmates and Tigers in general, by his sobriquet (a fancy title for “nick name”) - “Tiny.” Surely, whoever first so named him, and certainly his many friends who thus addressed him, understood how incongruous that appellation was. Because nothing about our friend was tiny. His presence was substantial and unique, and consequently so will be his absence.

Granted, he occupied measurable physical space. More than that his personality was so attractive that he became influential in any room he entered. Thus, he was a leader in the communities in which he resided, in the law firms where he practiced and among his classmates. He was organized and accomplished in whatever he undertook.

He was always a presence. He served as class president and later in other class offices and functions. But his sense of fun and enthusiasm were especially felt in class reunions and related activities. Along with his constant partner and friend Turk, he co-chaired our Class of 1966 Reunions for decades. For Tiny those annual events were a calling. He virtually owned the P-rade. He led our locomotive cheers like no other. The P-rade audience loved him. Tigers of all ages identified with Tiny. He was really good at herding Tigers! He personified the 1966 Overall Class.

“Tiny” was a fanciful epithet. There was nothing tiny about him, and about his devotion to every member of the Class and spouses. There was only one Tiny Morgan, and we will all miss him. May he rest in peace.

Turk Thacher:

We lost a great member of the great class of 1966, one who truly loved everything about our class. He was our heart and soul – and he was without a doubt, the” Locomotive King.” He was a great friend to all.

He was a unique personality - everybody knew Tiny. While we were friends as undergraduates, I really got to know him after he recruited me to help on our tenth reunion. We were reunion partners from then through our 52nd reunion and really enjoyed working together. For a number of years, the two of us taught the senior class the origins of the “Locomotive” cheer, and tried to coach them on proper P-rade etiquette during their class picture on the steps of Blair Arch. He loved every aspect of reunions and particularly enjoyed the interactions with our past undergraduate reunion crews, as well as any undergraduates who would sit with him as he held court in our reunion tent. Princeton and the class of 1966 brought Tiny great joy.

His last few years were kind of rough. He will be really missed - every Princeton Class should have a Tiny!

Bowers, Thacher, Morgan training the Class of 2019

Bob & Virg Nahas:

Of course, I knew Tiny as an undergrad. Everyone did. However, I really got to know him when He and Turk first became Reunion co-chairs, and I was asked to help with costumes. I was asked to stay involved through all our Reunions, leading to Tiny, Virg, Betty Lou and I becoming close friends. Frankly, among our closest friends.

Despite his sometimes-gruff exterior, he had the softest, kindest heart. He would shed tears at the most mildly sad occasion and cry rivers upon hearing of a classmate’s death.

They were in Texas and we were in New Jersey, but we stayed in touch by phone. I have to say that he initiated more calls than I did, remembering birthdays and just staying in touch.

When I heard him marvel at being alive and going strong despite his exuberant lifestyle, I got a chill because he knew he was pushing the envelope.

He was always sincerely interested in his friends’ kids and grandkids-another touching aspect of him.

As I said, Virg and I were close to the Morgans, and here are her thoughts.

Tiny was a man bigger than life. He was always interested and engaged with whatever was going on in your life. Tiny had a great rapport with young people. He enjoyed their spirit and listened to everything they wanted to say. Always positive. He commanded attention, because of that willingness to meet you where you were. Tiny was a true friend. He loved his wife, family, and we all enjoyed being around him.

Jon Holman:

I suspect that those of us who knew Tiny at all well all had the same thoughts when we heard that he had died. First, Oh no! Second, it's a miracle he lived so long given his many health problems. Third, the ultimate superlative: One of a kind.

Somehow that superlative isn't superlative enough. Was there a Princetonian anywhere, any class, any era, who loved Princeton more than Tiny? Not possible. Was there anyone who squeezed more fun out of one life than he did? Hard to imagine. He knew that some of that fun led to his health problems later, and he bemoaned the health issues but I'm not sure that even in retrospect he would have lived his life any differently. Bigger than life in every sense of that phrase.

We owe him so much. Incalculable. None of us would be the same, poorer in every way for sure, if Tiny had not been with us. Reunions for '66 and for many graduating classes was defined by Tiny and Turk. All of us combined just stood on their shoulders.

"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince;

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Reggie Ponder '84

Reggie worked at a couple of our reunions and kind of got adopted as an honorary classmate, very close to Turk and Tiny. He lives in Chicago, was at Reunions this year, and stopped by the site. He often marches in the P-rade with us. Turk Thacher adds: "Reggie worked on our 15th. We had a pizza oven and supplies and he was our Pizza Man - - "Vinnie Ponderalla" - he loved it and as you know visits us every reunion!"

I never met Richard Morgan, I really never knew that guy. I didn’t really know what he did professionally. But I did know Tiny. He was called Tiny but it was opposite of who I knew. He had a loud voice, a huge personality and a big heart. He wasn’t by any means Tiny and I’m not speaking of his size but the impact he had on so many people. I couldn’t wait to see him at reunions as his laugh and smile were infectious. He loved his wife and he loved Princeton. I missed having him here this year and his absence was noticeable. That locomotive cheer wasn’t as frequent, that booming voice wasn’t as loud, that hardy laugh wasn’t as vibrant and his passing while devastating, will never erase the indelible mark he made on the world and myself. I suspect the incoming tributes will introduce me to Richard Morgan and I’ll be grateful to meet him but Tiny will never be forgotten.

Tiny, Turk, Reggie '84 at the 2009 Reunions. Taken by Judy Rawson

John Edie:

1. I would describe Tiny’s way of thinking as constantly “creatively crazy” — one example: he and I were hitchhiking together from DC to his home in Texas. At one point we were having a long time getting picked up so he said to me — lie down next to the road and I did — when a car or truck came along, Tiny would make frantic motions over my body as if I were hurt — we would get picked up right away — apologize for the faking — and then he would engage the driver in fabulous conversation so that the driver would feel good about picking us up and making the time pass.

2. Once, Tiny came to visit me at my home in Minneapolis. I picked him up at the bus station, brought him home and got him settled in the second floor of our house. We decided to play a trick on my younger brother Jim (about 10 years old at the time). Before Tiny came down from the guest bedroom, I told Jim he was called “Tiny” because he was very, very small — and he was very sensitive about being so small, so please promise not to say anything about how little he was — so I yelled up “OK, Tiny you can come down”. I will never forget the total surprised look on brother Jim’s face when he saw him lumbering down our staircase— fun moment.

Will miss the guy — beneath all his brash craziness, he was a very warm and heartfelt friend.

Nelson Hendler:

No words ever express true feelings over a loss of a friend. They live on through fond memories. Our cruise in the Caribbean with Tiny and Betty Lou, and Rocky Barrett and Sharon remain one of the most memorable trips I have ever enjoyed. Tiny and Betty Lou were in a tiny shipboard elevator with us, and several more couples crowed in. Then the alarm in the elevator went off, signaling "overload" with lights and a verbal warning. I have never seen a big man move so fast in my life. He was off the elevator before the doors were fully open. Then there was the class Tiny show with the Princeton lunch group in DC. Carl Feldbaum was then head of BIO (biotechnology information organization, doing lobbying work for the biotech industry). He invited the group for a lunch a BIO headquarters which severed nothing but GMO food...tomatoes engineered so they would have a 6 month shelf life and other scientific feats. We discussed the various benefits and risks associated with playing with Mother Nature, but Carl assured us that there were no harmful side effects of GMO. As we began lunch Tony took one bite of the tomatoes, grabbed his throat and began to make horrible gagging sounds, then dropped to the floor. A look of sheer terror came on Carl's face...for several reasons. Of course he was concerned about Tiny, but he also saw the entire GMO program about to fail miserably. After several moments of horror, Tiny sat up and said "just kidding." The room burst into laughter. That was Tiny.

Henry Von Kohorn:

I’m sure that others who knew him better will have much to say. From my perspective, Tiny was larger than life, one of a kind, and was integral to the identity of our class. P-rades will not be the same without him.

Stu Steingold:

My fondness for Tiny and my sadness at his passing echo scores and scores of our classmates and family, including our daughters for whom he always had words of support.

It was a privilege to be a Princetonian in our youth and it's a singular experience to be a Princeton alum. Tiny married them both. When he roared his locomotive, there was always a precious moment in time when I was transported back, and for this I am grateful.

Somewhere up there is a flash of orange and black. Godspeed.

T.R. Reid:

T.R.'s Two Tiny Tales

1. Thursday night of our 15th reunion. About ten of us, in our overalls, were at a long table in a Princeton restaurant. At another table, a rowdy group of graduating seniors launched into a loud Locomotive cheer --for themselves: "'81! '81! '81!" The guys at our table turned to Tiny and said, "We've gotta do one for '66!" But Tiny corrected us: "No, we're gonna do this the right way. We're going to do a Locomotive for '81." So we did. The abashed seniors now realized what a mistake they'd made --and offered a Locomotive to '66.

2. As a successful energy lawyer, Tiny was regular in the Palm steakhouse in D.C. His appetite for martinis was prodigious. So much so that the Palm acquired a giant martini glass --they called it the "Birdbath" -- and brought it to the table as soon as Tiny was seated. At the Palm, Tiny was friendly with two waiters, Mo and Joe. Their dream was to start their own steakhouse. And they found a generous investor: Richard Morgan. So they opened their new place, just down Connecticut Ave. from the Palm --"Mo & Joe's." The Birdbath Martini went with them. The Class of '66 Washington luncheons then moved from the Palm to Mo & Joe's.

Peter L. Wilson:

For the big man Tiny was, he had incredible finesse in three-cushion billiards. His patience and accuracy were admirable.

Peter A. Wilson:

Tiny and John Edie were the de facto co-founders of the DC Metro PU 66 luncheon group. That was about fifty years ago we broke first bread. Turned out to be a wonderful institution. I miss it a lot after moving to middle Tennessee.

John Hart:

My first memories of Tiny are from Freshman Week in the Pyne Hall courtyard. He was a man you'd notice immediately. The next memory is from the first football game of the season. Tiny proudly helped carry a Princeton (or was it a Rutgers insult?) banner down on the field before the game. That was a prelude of things to come. While we had distinctly different personalities, after some time, we became good friends, and my future wife Linda and I could always be assured of hearty Tiny greetings. Somehow, in all that time, I never knew Tiny the Triangle and Theater Intime performer, but he could sure arrange a good party. As years went by, Tiny emerged as a class leader, especially as a Reunion Cochair. Yet he always had time for us, and he made a lasting impression on my kids at the 25th.

It took some time, but I realized that Tiny was not just for '66, he was for all Princeton classes, and he had firm ideas and high standards regarding Princeton and its traditions. It's impossible to forget watching Tiny, Turk, and some others training the graduating class in Locomotive Cheer technique and etiquette. There are photos on this page. What's more, the younger alums loved him, as I found out later that day when I came across Tiny sitting around a table with a couple of attractive younger tigresses, perhaps from somewhere in the 90s. They were in animated discussion, perhaps about the finer points of the locomotive cheer. I walked over, greeted Tiny, introduced myself to the tigresses and made some lame remark about Tiny being an old friend. They responded as one, “We love Tiny”.

I called Tiny shortly before the 60th. Betty Lou answered the call and asked that I not mention the 60th; he talked about it constantly and was determined to attend. It was impossible, sad to say. We had a good talk which I felt might be the last. As we signed off, he assured me that Betty Lou was taking good care of him.

From the 1963 Bric-a-Brac, Tiny (center) in the lead at Freshman year Rutgers game. Probably a bunch of other '66ers there.

Jim Parmentier says they just walked in from the open end of the field, no one stopped them.

Robert Chester:

At Triangle, Tiny was a true force! How could anyone forget seeing him on the Kickline, hoofin’ it with the rest of the Laddies dressed as Ladies? Dick was a stalwart (and unmistakably unique) member of the cast in a couple of shows in which we performed together, and a terrific traveling companion as the shows went “on tour.” He was always upbeat, and could be counted on to encourage the rest of the ensemble to strive for excellence in all our endeavors.

He is missed.

Ed Overtree, Tony Carroll, Tiny in Triangle's "Grape Expectations"

Mibs Sutherland (Director, Reunions; Honorary Classmate):

This is heartbreaking news.

Tiny was beloved. He was truly larger than life and had an even bigger heart. We have so many happy memories of Turk and Tiny teaching the seniors the locomotive on the Saturday morning of Reunions—it was always such a big hit. We have wonderful photos of Tiny and I’m sure Joy (thank you!) would be happy to share them.

With heartfelt sympathy to Betty Lou and the entire Class of 1966 during this time of sorrow.

Sending hugs.

Turk and Tiny make sure our 2016 Grandchild Class is Properly Trained

Carl Eastwick:

Tiny was a presence. He cannot be unremembered. Mostly, he was a faithful friend and generous with his time and considerable talents. He put his mark on the Class of '66 and made us unique. Forever he was our booster, our enabler. He was the passer of the spirit of Princeton to her younger classes and an inspiration to her older alumni. Tiny shined at every Reunion and was the master of the P-Rade urging on the "Old Guard", who consisted of the Classes of '65 and older, and instilled the best Princeton traditions in every Class that followed. Matt Eastwick '92 professes that he learned them from the Master, and he was not referring to his father. Others have risen as capable cheerleaders, organizers, and sources of inspiration for our Class as Tiny's health declined. Nevertheless, I am heartbroken that we have lost him.

Joy Allen (Associate Director, Reunions):

Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking news. I’m so sorry to hear of Tiny's passing. I had the very great pleasure of meeting him a few times over the years, and he was the simply the best of all. His impact and spirit will last for generations of Tigers.

Please extend our deepest condolences to Betty Lou and the rest of the Morgan family and to all who knew and loved him.

Bill Price:

Sad news. We missed Tiny at Reunions and were worried ...

I knew Tiny through the Triangle Club, when I was on Tech and he was in the Cast. Of course, with a small cast everyone played multiple roles, and Tiny featured as everything from "folk singer" to Russian peasant to "baby doll". Those were still the days when drag was an integral part of the shows, and "broad" humor was the norm - where Tiny fit right in - think "Violetta" and "Chinese Belle".

Tiny's Triangle bio: "Tiny", a Texas legend, was recruited as Don Marsden's bodyguard, but because of his enormous acting experience he was included in the cast. If Princeton can find a cap and gown big enough, Tiny, anchor man for the kickline, plans to go to law school and become another Billy Sol Estes.

Ken Krosin:

So many wonderful memories of Tiny for Ruth, me, and my boys, both of whom were enchanted by him from the time they were toddlers. One that stands out is from our 30th Reunion. My older son Michael, Class of '97, stopped by our tent with one of his female classmates. Tiny had his back to Michael, who decided to sneak up and surprise him. As Michael approached, I said to his classmate: "Watch this"! When Tiny saw Michael, he roared "Mikey," gave Michael a huge bear hug, and lifted him off the ground. Michael's classmate burst out laughing, not believing what she had just seen.

Ruth and I still laugh out loud thinking about Tiny's prodigious ability to consume hot chili peppers. One night in DC, Tiny, Betty Lou, Ruth and I were at a Chinese restaurant where he asked the waitress to bring a large bowl of hot peppers along with his meal. Hard to believe, but he enjoyed eating the peppers more than the Chinese food.

Tiny's acting days didn't end with the Triangle show. After moving to DC, he joined Hexagon, a political satirical musical comedy revue. Hexagon was formed in 1955 by several former Princeton Triangle members who named the group "Hexagon" to signify the inclusion of women. Tiny became president of Hexagon in 1974. Ruth and I went to many Hexagon shows over the years, including those with Tiny in the cast. Needless to say, he was just as funny in Hexagon as he was in Triangle.

Perhaps most important to me personally was the call I received about 40 years ago from Tiny, who asked me to join a monthly luncheon group with other Classmates. Our luncheons have been a great experience, especially because I've been able to spend quality time with many Classmates I didn't know as an undergrad.

Michael Krosin '97:

From the day I was born until now, there was no one more representative of the spirit, joy and community of Princeton than Tiny Morgan. He was larger than life, both physically and spiritually. We are all better to have had him in our lives and the echo of his locomotive will reverberate long after his natural life. Miss you Tiny and glad I was along for the ride.

Steve Herrmann:

Tiny was one of the outstanding personalities I had the pleasure of knowing throughout my life. Tiny and I never roomed together but we lived in an entry of Holder our sophomore year. The whole entry tried to eat together several times a week. We often heard, “here comes Tiny and his entourage.” Later, during the price restrictions on oil and gas, Tiny and I worked several cases together. I was always impressed by his courtroom presentation. Since these were judge-only trials, Tiny was very good at toning down his large personality. He was a terrific trial lawyer.

To say Tiny did so much for the spirit of Princeton and the class of ‘66 can not be overstated.

I will miss Tiny not being here.

Tiny and '66 Pals over the Years

Class of 1966:

Saturday night of the 60th, direct from Rocky Commons and 375 '66 family members, Stas Maliszewski led this cell phone Locomotive Cheer for Tiny while Betty Lou held the phone. She reports that Tiny was reduced to tears of joy. Note: The video captions says "75". 375 is the correct number.

If you have photos, information, or memories that you wish to share, please send them to the '66 Memorial Team (66_MemorialTeam@GoogleGroups.com). We'll add them to this page.