LONG BEACH – Long Beach resident Morris Pedersen died Friday, May 7, 2004, while on a Caribbean cruise. With him were his close friend Monika Itzen, son Charles (Chuck), and Chuck’s wife Debra. His death came from complications caused by pancreatic cancer.

The son of Elmer and Elizabeth (Betty) Pedersen and a native of South Bend, Mr. Pedersen was born Feb. 10, 1932. He graduated from South Bend High School in 1950, then entered the U.S. Navy, spending time at both Barber’s Point, Hawaii, and the Whidbey Island NAS.

Following his service time, he pursued an interest in aircraft by attending the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical School at Miami, Fla. His career at Boeing began at Renton, but his job in quality assurance took him to several other locations, including Lincoln, Neb., Buffalo, N.Y., and Los Angeles.

In the midst of his Boeing career, in 1971 he and his second wife Bobbi purchased the Pacific Park Motel and RV Park in Long Beach, which they owned until 1997. She died in 2000 after 35 years of marriage.

Friends and relatives recall him as an avid fisherman, a fan of military history, an aviation buff, and close to his canine pal Chip.

Mr. Pederson had three children from his first marriage to Betty Lou, who is deceased: Chuck Pedersen and wife Debra, of Fort Worth, Texas, Jeffrey Pederson of Denver, Colo. and John who is deceased. Other survivors include grandchildren Angela (and husband Channing) DeBordenave, and Michael (and wife Holly) Pedersen, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; his brother Darryl (and wife Jane) Pedersen; and nephews Kurt, Eric, and Mark Pedersen, all from the Seattle and Puget Sound area.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any remembrances be sent to the First Lutheran Church of South Bend.