Richard Morrissey attended Yuba City High School, where he graduated in 1957 after having been the Drum Major of the marching band during his Junior and Senior years. He graduated from California State University, Chico, in 1961 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music. He taught music at Marysville High School for a year, then went into the United States Navy where he served three and a half years as an officer. He earned two "service medals" that were later given to him at the time of his retirement.

Richard, known for years as "Dick", spent thirty-six years in the Yuba City Unified School District as a music teacher. He directed band and orchestra for seventeen years at Yuba City High School, then switched to orchestra only and started a Drama Program there in the mid 1980’s, that quickly grew to four classes with 130 students. The new program built the drama skills of students progressively, Drama I-IV. This program eventually matured to the point where they were able to produce major Broadway Musicals with large student casts and large student/faculty "pit orchestras". These continue today at Y.C.H.S. He also taught for fifteen years at Yuba College as well, this was concurrent with his time in the Yuba City Unified School District. Richard also served as Y.C. School District Coordinator of Performing Arts for thirty years.

Before Richard Morrissey began his long tenure as band director of Yuba City High, he became a colleague and friend of Barrie Wells. From 1967-1969, Richard worked as Associate Director to Mr. Wells. He directed Concert Band during those years, as his colleague Barrie Wells took the more seasoned players into Symphonic Band. This maneuver allowed Symphonic Band to achieve heights otherwise, unattainable. When Symphonic Band was chosen one of four best high school bands in California, Mr. Morrissey was part of that trip to Los Angeles for their concert performance, as his help was part of that success. Later, he was to become the Y.C.H.S. Band director himself. One year, his students honored Richard’s birthday, by putting a huge poster of his "baby picture" on the wall above the blackboard in the band room! Students never change!

Richard Morrissey directed the Yuba Sutter Symphony Orchestra and the Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society Choir for twenty-five years. He served as director at the Marysville First Presbyterian Church Choir for twenty-two years. Though Richard is retired now, he still directs an eighty voice, auditioned, adult regional choir in Sacramento, called the River City Chorale. He sang with the group for five years and began directing them on a recent tour of Italy, Austria, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.

Richard’s talents and interests are not limited to music. His fascination for ships continued, as he sailed sailboats for seven years. He owned and rode horses for ten years, English style, doing dressage, and cross-country racing.

Richard Morrissey lives with his wife Jeanne, in Yuba City. After he retired, they thought to move away, as they had lived a near life time in Yuba City. After all was said and done, they did move... to the other side of town!! They could not find a better city in which to live. They have four children: Leslie, who trains horses in Kentucky; Scott, who with his wife, manages a large appliance parts store in Sacramento; Robert, who works for Oakland County in Michigan; and Jason, who is a civil engineer working and living in Oakland, California.

Richard was one of the original 2003, Y.C.H.S. Band Reunion Committee Members. He later became an Advisor instead. He supplied encouragement, counsel, and support to the Coordinator of the event, who first sought his help in achieving that goal. He is an ‘anchor’ to the people of Yuba City and of the Yuba City School System. He is a mentor and champion for the cause of music in the school system where he served so many years. He is a special man that deserves the thanks of all those of us who love music and want that tradition to continue for our own children.

written by Neva Nix
approved by Dick