Lloyd Morgan Printer and Forester

Lloyd Morgan, printer and forester, and 47-year resident of Hastings, died on November 3, at Andrus on Hudson in Hastings-on-Hudson. He was 76. The cause was complications from Alzheimer’s.

Morgan was born in New York City in 1935. As a child during World War II, he and his brother published a hand-typeset magazine called The Fresh Egg, from the family’s chicken farm in Scarsdale. Filled with articles by relatives and friends living abroad that described a war-ravaged Europe along with the brother’s stories. The magazine was distributed to neighbors along with eggs from the farm. Lloyd and Doug’s printing, and type-collecting, nurtured by their father, evolved into an extensive collection that came to be known as the Morgan Press Type Collection. Their use of the collection along with influential graphic designers in the 60s inspired a renaissance of eclectic revivalist styles. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington currently holds the collection.

Lloyd graduated from Beloit College in 1958. Morgan’s first love was ecology, though he spent many years in printing, managing Morgan Press in Dobbs Ferry until 1996 when it closed. Parallel to printing was his life in ecology and conservation. He shared his passion with family and friends on weekends at Morgan Pond Farm in the Catskills. The rustic farm became Morgan’s lab where he practiced sustainable forestry, opened up a bluestone quarry, and created a healthy habitat for wildlife and pond life. The farm also became a place to nurture the extended family with weddings, reunions, and to instill the love of nature with new generations. In 1979 Lloyd and his wife, Janet, along with their children undertook a two-year project to build a traditional hand-hewn log cabin on the property.

Lloyd carried his interest in forestry into several activities including turning bowls, woodworking, and harvesting local timber.  Lloyd and fellow Hastings resident Bill Kipp would seek out local storm-damaged trees to mill with a portable sawmill that would become furniture and unique bowls. Lloyd said that his most meaningful bowl-turning commissions were “to turn bowls from specific trees that have been significant to a family. The bowl becomes a reminder of the life of the tree in the family.”

Morgan was Chairman of the Committee on Conservation on Forest and Wildlife of The Camp Fire Club of America from 1982 to 1987. He also served as NY DEC Forest Representative, Region 3 Forest Practice Board for Westchester County for many years, and was involved in conservation activities locally.

His mother, Barbara Morgan, was a photographer best known for her work with early modern dancers and choreographers like Martha Graham, Erick Hawkins, Doris Humphrey, Pearl Primus, and Merce Cunningham. Lloyd promoted an awareness and appreciation of his mother’s body of work. He generously shared information and material with scholars.

His father, Willard Morgan, was the first Contributions Editor for Life magazine, the first director of the department of photography at the Museum of Modern Art, and the founder of Morgan & Morgan, publisher of photographic literature.

Morgan is survived by his wife, Janet; two children, Nils and Caitlin; and three granddaughters. His brother Doug predeceased him in 2007. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father and friend who truly enjoyed sharing his quiet enthusiasm for life, nature and his love for his family with others.

His life will be celebrated in a private family memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lloyd Morgan’s name can be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, or Riverkeeper. To share thoughts and memories with the family, e-mail morganarchives@gmail.com.