Entertaining anecdotes about his children, worldwide travels and experiences in the Navy are what Sacramento State senior and former Associated Students Inc. member Robbie Abelon remembers about Randolph “Randy” Morgan.

Morgan, ASI’s controller and director of finance and administration, passed away Nov. 5 at the age of 56 of an undisclosed cause.

“He always had some type of life story to tell that molded to the situation we were in,” said Abelon, a double major in government and history.

Abelon, who served on ASI for three years since 2003, said he really got to know Morgan throughout the past two years.

“Other than the business aspect of his job,” Abelon said, “he always took the time to see how everyone else was doing and to get to know people on a personal level, something that’s very rare in ASI.”

This, Abelon added, is what made Morgan such an important member of the Sac State community.

“He’s one of those people that the vast majority of students and faculty will never know,” Abelon said. “His work was all behind the scenes but, in spite of that, this is a great loss to the school and to the university community.”

Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., March 2007 would have marked the fifth anniversary of Morgan’s involvement with ASI. Beyond his overseeing of finances and the “regular business,” Abelon remembered Morgan as “very jovial” and “really kind.”

“He’d drop by three or four times a week just to say hello,” he said.ASI President Angela Arriola echoed Abelon’s sentiments. Morgan, she said, “was a vital and significant member of ASI who we will miss dearly.” Calling him “dynamic” with a “larger-than-personality,” she added that Morgan left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

“His great sense of humor touched many people’s lives and made him the life of the office,” she said.

While many employees come and go, Arriola said that Morgan’s contributions were noteworthy.

“For ASI, Randy’s strong sense of integrity made a lasting impact on the organization,” she said. This impact will not be forgotten, Arriola added.

“We will always honor and remember the memory of Randy Morgan,” she said. “The bigger the impact, the bigger the void.”

That void will definitely be felt by all who knew him, Abelon said, who Morgan often compared to his own son, Randolph Morgan Jr.

Even until the time of his death, Morgan remained positive, Abelon added.

“Even when his health was failing, he was still in high spirits all the time,” he said.

Abelon is comforted by knowing that Morgan’s life, while much too short, was filled with interesting and memorable encounters.

“The life he lived,” Abelon said, “probably could have filled the lives of three people.”

Morgan leaves behind three children ?” Randolph Morgan Jr., Denise Morgan and Maya Morgan ?” as well as his brother Bruce Morgan, girlfriend Ema and many friends and family.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Klumpp’s Chapel at 2691 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, Calif. Graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at the Sacramento Valley Veteran’s National Cemetery at 5810 Midway Rd., Dixon, Calif.

Megan Chuchmach can be reached at [email protected]