Morton M. Block, 91, of Palo Alto passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at Stanford Hospital.
Mr. Block was born in Omaha, Neb., in 1920 to Louis and Bess Bloch. At age 3, he moved to California and was raised in Bakersfield and San Francisco.
He graduated from USC, then enlisted in the Navy during WWII. His Navy career included time spent in the Asia Pacific theatre, particularly the Philippines, towards the end of the war. Following the war he joined Pan American Airways, where he was a Dispatcher and Flight controller for Pan Am until his retirement in the 1980s.
He fell in love with Mary Isabelle Lupton while at USC, and they were married at the Wee Kirk of the Heathers Church in Los Angeles shortly thereafter. They raised their family in Honolulu, San Carlos and Palo Alto.
Always an adventurous world traveler, Mr. Block lived overseas in Beirut, Lebanon, in the late 1960s, as well as London, England, in the 1970s.
Mr. Block had four great passions in his life: raising orchids, playing tennis, traveling, and his wife, Isabelle.
Survivors include his wife, Isabelle Block; children, Dr. Gordon Block, Kevin Block and Alison Parks; and grandchildren, Lisa Valera, Brian Block, Gary Parks and Chloe Parks.
He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Nancy Block.
There will be a private memorial ceremony for family and close friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Peninsula Orchid Society.