Community leader remembered

When people talk about Carl Morck, one of the first things mentioned is how much he worked to improve Green River.

Morck died at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County May 30 at the age of 81. He was a former member of the Green River City Council and served on numerous board and committees, including the Greenbelt Task Force, Sweetwater County Museum Foundation, Green River Historic Preservation Commission and Sweetwater County Recreation Board.

“I grew up down the street from Carl and he was friends with my dad,” Brie Blasi, director of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum said. “When I first moved back here, Carl was one of the first people who came by the museum to say ‘hi’ and reminisce about the neighborhood when I was a kid.”

Blasi said he was a good friend to the museum and was a descendant of some of the earliest and historically-important settlers in Sweetwater County, the Gaensslen family, the Egg family and Tom Whitmore, the namesake for the city’s American Legion post.

“I think this was a big part of who he was because he really loved Green River and he felt a deep connection here,” Blasi said. “He was a truly kind and caring man who was always willing to help, volunteer, and just be involved in the community.”

John Freeman, a founder of the Greenbelt Task Force, also noted Morck’s willingness to volunteer.

“He always showed up and helped, believing (the Greenbelt) was a benefit to Green River’s future,” Freeman said.

Kristine Lessard, a longtime employee of the city’s parks and recreation department, described him as a walking wealth of knowledge who played an important part of any committee he was a part of. Lessard said he was someone who generally didn’t speak unless he had something to say.

Amongst many other positions he held throughout his life, Morck worked at the Green River Recreation Center. Sherry Schumacher, a recreation programs supervisor at the center, worked with him for six years. She said Morck was fun to work with and was well-respected amongst other employees, with his honestly being a key factor in why people respected him.

“He was genuine. There was nothing phony about Carl Morck,” she said.

Mayor Pete Rust said he would work out at the same time as Morck, specifically speaking about Morck’s ability with the speed bag.

Rust said Morck was a good friend and supporter to his mayoral campaigns.

Rust said one of the aspects that stands out to him the most is how much Morck worked for the community and the diverse number of groups he was a part of.

“Carl was the epitome of being in local government to help your community,” Rust said. “Nobody did it better.”