A5
THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2020
OBITUARIES
Robert Allan Morris
Astoria
Sept. 14, 1948 — Nov. 30, 2020
Bebeto Matthews/AP Photo
A U.S. government advisory panel on Thursday endorsed mass use of Pfi zer’s coronavirus
vaccine to help conquer the outbreak that has killed close to 300,000 Americans.
US panel endorses Pfi zer
coronavirus vaccine
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
and MATTHEW PERRONE
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A U.S. government
advisory panel endorsed widespread use of
Pfi zer’s coronavirus vaccine on Thursday,
putting the country just one step away from
launching an epic vaccination campaign
against the outbreak that has killed close to
300,000 Americans.
Shots could begin within days, depending
on how quickly the Food and Drug Admin-
istration signs off, as expected, on the expert
committee’s recommendation.
“This is a light at the end of the long tun-
nel of this pandemic,” declared Dr. Sally
Goza, president of the American Academy of
Pediatrics.
In a 17-4 vote with one abstention, the gov-
ernment advisers concluded that the vaccine
from Pfi zer and its German partner BioNTech
appears safe and effective for emergency use
in adults and teenagers 16 and over.
That endorsement came despite questions
about allergic reactions in two people who
received the vaccine earlier this week when
Britain became the fi rst country to begin dis-
pensing the Pfi zer-BioNTech shot.
While there are a number of remaining
unknowns about the vaccine, in an emergency,
“the question is whether you know enough”
to press ahead, said panel member Dr. Paul
Offi t of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
He concluded that the potential benefi ts out-
weigh the risks.
The decision came as COVID-19 cases
and deaths surge to ever-higher levels across
the U.S.
Pfi zer has said it will have about 25 million
doses of the two-shot vaccine for the U.S. by
the end of December. But the initial supplies
will be reserved primarily for health care work-
ers and nursing home residents, with other
vulnerable groups next in line until ramped-up
production enables shots to become widely
available on demand — something that will
probably not happen until the spring.
Next week, the FDA will review a second
vaccine, from Moderna and the National Insti-
tutes of Health, that appears about as protec-
tive as Pfi zer-BioNTech’s shot. A third candi-
date, from Johnson & Johnson, which would
require just one dose, is working its way
through the pipeline. Behind that is a candi-
date from AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
U.S. health experts are hoping a combina-
tion of vaccines will ultimately enable the U.S.
to conquer the outbreak.
Still, experts estimate at least 70% of the
U.S. population will have to be vaccinated to
achieve herd immunity, the point at which the
virus can be held in check. That means it could
be several months before things start to get
back to normal and Americans can put away
their masks.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday
rejected a lawsuit backed by President Don-
ald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s elec-
tion victory, ending a desperate attempt to
get legal issues rejected by state and federal
judges before the nation’s highest court.
The court’s order was its second this
week rebuffi ng Republican requests that it
get involved in the 2020 election outcome.
The justices turned away an appeal from
Pennsylvania Republicans on Tuesday.
The Electoral College meets Monday to
formally elect Biden as the next president.
Trump had called the lawsuit fi led by
Texas against Georgia, Michigan, Penn-
sylvania and Wisconsin “the big one” that
would end with the Supreme Court undoing
Biden’s substantial Electoral College major-
ity and allowing Trump to serve another
four years in the White House.
In a brief order, the court said Texas does
not have the legal right to sue those states
because it “has not demonstrated a judi-
cially cognizable interest in the manner in
which another State conducts its elections.”
Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clar-
ence Thomas, who have said previously
the court does not have the authority to turn
away lawsuits between states, said they
would have heard Texas’ complaint. But
they would not have done as Texas wanted
pending resolution of the lawsuit, and set
aside those four states’ 62 electoral votes for
Biden.
Three Trump appointees sit on the high
court. In his push to get the most recent of
his nominees, Justice Amy Coney Barrett,
confi rmed quickly, Trump said she would
be needed for any postelection lawsuits.
Barrett appears to have participated in both
cases this week. None of the Trump appoin-
tees noted a dissent in either case.
Eighteen other states won by Trump in
last month’s election, 126 GOP members of
Congress and Trump himself joined Texas
in calling on the justices to take up the case
that sought to stop electors from casting
their votes for Biden.
The four states sued by Texas had urged
the court to reject the case as meritless.
They were backed by another 22 states and
the District of Columbia.
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
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Supreme Court rejects
GOP attack on Biden win
By NOMAAN MERCHANT and
ALANNA DURKIN RICHER
Associated Press
and working on them, and fi shing in the
Columbia River on the family boat.
Robert passed away on Nov. 30, 2020,
over the Thanksgiving holiday, while he
and Nathan were visiting Ryan, Kimberly
and Beckett at their Arizona home.
He married Sally Hope in 1971; they
had two children, Ryan and Rachel. They
later divorced. He married Supannee Som-
suk in 2005; they had one son, Nathan,
and Supannee’s son, Saharat. They later
divorced.
Robert is survived by his children,
Robert “Ryan” Morris (Kimberly), of
Flagstaff, Arizona, and Astoria, Rachel
Hopkins, of Eugene, Nathan Morris, of
Astoria, and stepson, Saharat Jitmala, of
Warrenton; grandchildren, Beckett Mor-
ris, Saeda Suhm and Halia Hopkins; sib-
lings, Bill Lee Morris (Cheryl Morris), of
Pasco, Washington, Larry L. Morris (Judie
J. Johnson), of Brush Prairie, Washington,
and Betty Anderson, of Fairview . In addi-
tion, Rob has numerous family members,
including cousins, nieces and nephews.
Robert is preceded in death by his par-
ents, Lawrence Western Morris and Helen
Ovdia Johansen, and a sister, Ellen Fenton.
Robert was an original. He was the best
friend you’d ever have. He was loyal and
would never let you down; he was always
there when you needed him. If you ever
met him, you’d never forget him.
There will be a graveside service at the
Prairie Cemetery, offi ciated by Rev. Wil-
liam D. Oruko of St. Mary, Star of the Sea,
on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. A reception will fol-
low at 3 p.m. at the Astoria Golf & Coun-
try Club.
In lieu of fl owers, please make dona-
tions to the Knights of Columbus, in care
of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Church in
Astoria.
Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary was
in charge of the arrangements. Please sign
our online guest book at caldwellsmortu-
ary.com
Robert Allan Morris was born in Asto-
ria on Sept. 14, 1948, to Lawrence West-
ern Morris and Helen Ovdia Johansen. He
grew up in Astoria .
Robert attended St. Mary, Star of the
Sea School, starting in grade school until
graduating from high school in 1967. He
played basketball for Star of the Sea and
played on the team of the western champs
in 1967.
Rob then attended Clatsop Community
College, earning an associate’s degree in
business. He then attended Portland State
University, majoring in marketing. He was
a college football player, and played tight
end for Portland State .
Robert is a U.S. Army veteran. He
joined the Army in 1970 and worked his
way up to be a drill sergeant. He spent
time at Fort Polk in Louisiana, Fort Ord
in California, Fort Lewis in Washington
state, and eventually Camp Rilea in Ore-
gon, where he was in the Army Reserves.
Robert was the owner of Robert Mor-
ris’ Oregon Glass Service in Oregon and
Washington state from 1973 to 1999. Then
following, Robert closed his business
and worked for his son, Ryan, at Morris
Glass & Construction, as an estimator for
commercial and residential projects until
he retired in 2014 from the construction
industry.
He was a faithful member of St. Mary,
Star of the Sea Catholic Church and the
Knights of Columbus in Astoria.
Robert’s family and faith were most
important to him. His children and grand-
children meant the world to him. Spend-
ing time with family and friends, and car-
rying on traditions, were always special to
Rob.
He loved elk, deer and duck hunt-
ing with his son, Ryan. He had a love
for seafood, clam digging, camping, sit-
ting by the campfi re, football, basketball,
golf, skiing, traveling, family vacations,
hosting annual Rod Run parties, old cars
We have Infection Control Procedures
in place for your safety & ours.
** In addition to a filtration
system, external vacuum
systems, air purifiers,
and foggers, we have
added negative pressure
to all operatories. The
safety and comfort of
our patients has always
been a priority at Klemp
Family Dentistry. We are
very proud of these
innovations. Thank you
for your continued
confidence in all of us.
Thank you Diamond Heating and JJ
Electric Service LLC for completing our
negative pressure system.
Excellence in challenging conditions.
Diane G.
I saw the highest standard of health safety practices in effect
during my hygienist appointment today—much higher precau-
tions than I’d seen in a local hospital when having tests last
month. The new sanitation equipment and attention to patient
safety at Klemp Family Dentistry is in keeping with a dental
practice I consider cutting edge with respect to all my dental
needs. It’s wonderful having a world class dental practice here
at the coast, one where I can have procedures performed for
which I used to have to travel to a specialist in Portland. I have
been a patient of several local dentists in the past, but none
had the skill and, more importantly, the attention to patient
comfort that Dr Klemp provides.
KLEMP FAMILY DENTISTRY
1006 West Marine Drive, Astoria
(503) 468-0116
www.klempfamilydentistry.com
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
47 40
Cloudy
49 40
50 41
Periods of rain Morning rain
49 44
51 44
47 38
51 45
Rain; winds
subsiding
Cloudy, rain
possible
Cloudy, rain
possible
Showers
possible
Aberdeen
Olympia
46/39
45/38
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
43/32
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Thursday
Tonight’s Sky: Before sunrise
Saturday, the waning crescent
moon and Venus will be less than
1 degree apart. A must see!
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 45/37
Normal high/low .................. 49/37
Record high .................. 63 in 2014
Record low .................... 15 in 1972
Precipitation
Thursday ................................. 0.15”
Month to date ........................ 1.28”
Normal month to date ......... 3.41”
Year to date .......................... 57.63”
Normal year to date ........... 61.03”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Sunrise today .................. 7:49 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 4:30 p.m.
Moonrise today .............. 5:17 a.m.
Moonset today .............. 3:12 p.m.
First
Full
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
10:40 a.m. 9.7 4:37 a.m. 2.2
11:58 p.m. 7.5 5:46 p.m. -0.7
Cape Disappointment
10:15 a.m. 9.7 3:47 a.m. 2.5
11:39 p.m. 7.4 4:55 p.m. -0.8
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
New
Time
Last
10:27 a.m. 10.0 4:10 a.m. 2.3
11:46 p.m. 7.7 5:14 p.m. -1.0
Warrenton
10:35 a.m. 10.0 4:21 a.m. 2.3
11:53 p.m. 7.9 5:30 p.m. -0.6
Knappa
11:17 a.m. 9.9 5:38 a.m. 1.9
none
6:47 p.m. -0.6
Depoe Bay
Dec 14 Dec 21 Dec 29 Jan 6
9:29 a.m. 9.9 3:14 a.m. 2.5
10:54 p.m. 7.5 4:26 p.m. -1.0
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
64/50/sh
46/43/r
43/28/r
57/40/s
32/13/sn
84/72/pc
71/51/pc
65/49/s
80/69/pc
54/52/r
67/47/s
60/52/r
62/53/c
65/45/pc
55/36/c
34/25/pc
48/32/sh
39/21/s
85/72/pc
68/42/r
70/48/s
82/67/pc
59/40/pc
66/44/s
60/47/r
62/42/pc
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
39/28
Hermiston
The Dalles 42/29
Enterprise
Pendleton 37/24
38/27
42/32
La Grande
38/26
43/38
NATIONAL CITIES
Today
Hi/Lo/W
33/26
Kennewick Walla Walla
35/27 Lewiston
40/30
42/36
Salem
Pullman
38/27
Longview
47/40 Portland
44/39
31/24
Yakima 36/27
43/33
Astoria
Spokane
32/27
Corvallis
42/35
Albany
43/36
John Day
Eugene
Bend
45/39
41/27
37/25
Ontario
42/23
Caldwell
Burns
37/19
40/23
Medford
45/38
Klamath Falls
37/30
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
39/26/c
53/47/c
46/40/c
44/37/c
48/44/c
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
37/24/c
53/44/r
49/42/r
49/39/r
51/43/r
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
54/46/c
49/44/r
45/40/c
44/39/r
42/38/c
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
52/42/r
49/41/r
49/41/r
51/42/r
45/41/r