Chuck Morgan did not leave a footprint in Kirkland – he left many.

He left so many, in fact, that the former Eastside Journal publisher was long ago dubbed “Mr. Kirkland.”

Kirkland lost one of its own this week, when Morgan passed away Oct. 30. He was 98.

But his legacy to the city will not be forgotten.

The 63-year Kirkland resident was a community activist who used his printed pulpit to influence the community.

Morgan once told the Reporter a bit of wisdom a journalism professor imparted on him years ago: “In journalism you have a choice. You can either tear down a community or build it up.”

He chose the latter.

Morgan moved to Kirkland in 1946, when the city’s population was only a few thousand.

In the 60s, Morgan got neighborhood folks to write letters and bring the Kirkland and Houghton communities together, recalled Bill Woods, former Kirkland mayor. Kirkland eventually consolidated with Houghton to form one city of more than 13,000.

In the 80s, Morgan and Woods teamed up with the Village Theater in Issaquah, which was considering to relocate from its old theater to Kirkland. The deal went under, but for the next 10 years Morgan told the community an arts center would be worthwhile – and the community believed him. His efforts helped raise $6 million and the Kirkland Performance Center opened its doors in 1998.

Over the years, Morgan championed countless causes to improve the lives of the community. He mounted successful campaigns for a clean city water supply, advocated paving city streets, pushed for a city-manager form of government, and was involved with the construction of the Evergreen Hospital Medical Center and the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. He also campaigned for Bellevue Community College and Cascadia Community College.

In between it all, Morgan had time to enjoy life. For his 95th birthday, he went 1,000 feet up for a hot-air balloon ride with two female companions.

His childhood friend, former Pres. Gerald Ford, said it best when he sent Morgan a letter for his 90th birthday: “Betty and I extend our admiration and warmest, best wishes. You have earned the label – Kirkland’s Elder Statesman.”

No one could ever fill Morgan’s shoes.

But perhaps in the elder statesman’s honor, we should all try to follow the marks he made across the city in them.