Honoring David Morehouse

Gene Hocutt
Network Board Member

Central New York, the entire Finger Lakes Community, and Cayuga Lake lost a pioneering leader on the 29th of June, 2002 when David G. Morehouse, 65, of Aurora lost a long and valiant battle with cancer. For over 40 years, David was a strong and clear voice for maintaining and enhancing the integrity of Cayuga and the other Finger Lakes.

At the time of his death, David was the Vice Chair for Cayuga County with the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network. The group serves to educate and communicate the fundamental premise that water quality in Cayuga Lake can only be maintained by improving the 785 square-mile watershed around the lake. He also was instrumental in founding the six county, forty-four municipality Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization. His involvement extended to the Finger Lakes Ecology Association, a group dedicated to the scientific management of water levels in Cayuga and Seneca Lakes.

The words "pioneer"and "visionary" should be applied to David because he became actively involved in these Finger Lakes long before doing so became popular. In the early 1960’s, he helped to found the Cayuga Lake Conservation Association — one of the first organizations in central and western New York State to dedicate itself to wise use, protection and education about watersheds and lakes.

David’s education and early life almost dictated the directions of his later work and value system. He held a B.S. in fisheries management (1959) from Cornell University and a M.S. (1967) from the University of Arizona. He served with the US Army during the Korean War. For several years he managed the Hibiscus Harbor Marina on Cayuga Lake. He also worked with his father Dick and his Uncle Bob in their business, Morehouse Boats, at the northern end of Cayuga Lake. Morehouse Boats were legendary in this area and are now highly collectable. Just prior to his death, and with the strong support of his family, David was actively working to establish a Morehouse Boat Museum.

David took over management of the Morehouse Bait Farm in Seneca County after his father’s death. He expanded the original spring-fed ponds many times over and became one of the largest producers and distributors of minnows and crabs for fishermen in upstate New York. He applied an excellent education and plain hard work to make a complex business succeed. Again, even his business world revolved around a healthy lake ecosystem.

For all of the reasons that made David who he was, he asked that memorials be made to the David G. Morehouse Scholarship Fund in care of SUNY Agricultural and Technical College at Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY 12043-9986.

All of us who care deeply for this legacy of lakes, their watersheds, their habitats and their critters will miss and remember David Morehouse. He was a big man with a big intellect and big personality. Plus, he was kind, compassionate, and gentle — a rare, rare mix. No one ever attended a meeting and found it necessary to ask if David Morehouse was there! You knew.

In our organization, we can best remember David (and his wonderful supportive wife Claire and their sons Randy and Nathaniel) by being active in causes in which David believed. He was a wise steward because he felt obligated to be one. You will best honor David’s memory by your personal involvement. Please support wise use, clean lakes and improved watersheds.