Randolph Sharpe

Randolph “Morgan” Sharpe grew up in Beloit WI with his parents, Robert and Lois, and three younger siblings, Craig, Barbara and Jon. They had a full life, much of which was spent on the lakes and in the countryside of southern WI. He continued to treasure and bask in the beauty of the WI landscape his entire life.

Morgan excelled academically. Anyone who knew Morgan quickly realized he was wicked smart. He spent his senior year of high school in Denmark. He carried that experience through his entire life, maintaining several relationships with his Danish companions, and was briefly married to a beautiful Danish woman, Anne Marie.

After graduating from Harvard, he spent two years in India in the Peace Corp. That experience in Southeast Asia influenced much of his life and his appreciation and knowledge about other cultures.

Most of Morgan’s working life was spent in the Madison area, where he worked primarily as a finish carpenter. He was a meticulous and talented craftsman and had a keen sense of design which he put to use on many of his projects. He often worked by himself but preferred to collaborate with fellow craftspeople.

Morgan was a polymath, fluent in numerous languages (his copious journals were written in a combination of English, Danish and Tamil), a connoisseur of poetry, literature, history, political commentary and natural history. He also had a passion for the visual arts and music. His collection of books was something to behold! He wrote beautifully, as experienced by anyone lucky enough to have received a card or letter from Morgan. He was part of an improv dance group for decades, led by his dear friend, Ellen Moore. Many of his closest friends were part of that dance group, who shared his love for beauty and movement. Morgan loved trees, clouds and nature. Perhaps his message to us all was “stop and smell the roses.” And let’s not forget about Morgan’s passion for progressive politics. He worked tirelessly on environmental and social issues.

Morgan was, in many wonderful ways, an unconventional man. To paraphrase author Wendell Berry in his description of the subject of his book Harlan Hubbard “he was not a success as our current society views success. He earned enough money for his basic needs, but left plenty of time to write, read, walk and bike through the countryside, talk with friends. He was a serious reader of books, a dancer, an incessant questioner of his hopes and aims, a disbeliever in much of the value system of his time and place, a maverick, and a man full of passion and love. He was, in his way, a kind of wonder.”

Morgan’s final years were challenged by the onset and progression of dementia, which eventually robbed him of his much-cherished independence and freedom. His siblings, and particularly his sister Barbara, along with his closest friends, especially Bill and Bob, helped guide him through the difficult final years. We will miss this generous, big-hearted lover of beauty, this man full of passion.

Celebration of life to be held June 1 at 2:00 PM on a hilltop in beautiful Dane County. Food, drink, music, and Morgan stories to be shared. Please RSVP to obtain directions and details at celebratemorgan45@gmail.com.