Morris Waxler died on January 2, 2026, from a stroke, shortly before his 89th birthday. He was born in Washington D.C. on January 25, 1937, son of Isadore and Fannie Waxler, immigrants from Russia. His father was an antiques dealer and cabinetmaker. His mother was a bookkeeper and government employee during WW2, in addition to managing a household with 6 children. Morris enjoyed his relationships with his parents and developed home-related interests from both. He became expert in antique restoration while working with his father. They enjoyed buying and selling at auctions along the east coast. With his mother, he shared her pleasure in household activities and rhythms, including shopping in downtown markets.

Morris graduated from McKinley High School in Washington, D.C. in 1955. He then served in the Coast Guard. He began undergraduate work at Howard University in 1958, one of a small number of whites. He cited its low cost, but it also reflected interests in social justice and ease with people who outwardly appeared different. No one was a stranger to Morris. He and classmates tried to integrate a popular amusement park in Glen Echo, MD. The owners closed the park instead. Soon after in 1964, desegregation became official in the U.S. Morris earned a BA in psychology from Howard in 1962, and a MA in 1964. He did graduate work in psychology and neuroscience at Michigan State, completing a PhD 1977 at the University of Maryland.

Morris spent his career at the Food and Drug Administration in Rockville, MD. He was a research psychologist for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. He evaluated medical device applications and conducted experiments on light and ultraviolet radiation. From 1996 to 2000, he managed a team that evaluated and toughened engineering and clinical standards for laser devices marketed for surgery. In 1999 he oversaw approval of laser devices for surgery to eliminate the need for glasses and contact lens. Over time, patients reported adverse outcomes including seriously impaired vision and chronic, severe pain. This led to loss of employment, depression and even some suicides. When Morris talked to patients and delved deeply into an evolving literature on Lasik, he learned more about these devastating, permanent problems surgeons claimed were temporary and treatable.

Following retirement at FDA, he worked for two law firms, first in Washington, D.C. and then in Madison, WI. Then he established his own business, Waxler Regulatory Affairs. He wrote a book about the problems with Lasik surgery, published in collaboration with colleagues against Lasik surgery, “The Unsightly Truth of Lasar Vision Correction: LASIK Surgery Makes Healthy Eyes Sick”. As a memorial to Morris, the colleagues have renamed their group as the Waxler Anti-Lasik Coalition. Lasik surgery has decreased markedly over time.

The home life Morris enjoyed from an early age, became a joy he shared with his wife Carolyn. While both traveled extensively for work, they were homebodies by nature. They went antiquing on their first date in Harper’s Ferry, VA, which became a lifetime passion. They loved renovation and restoration of furniture and homes, first in Bethesda and Kensington MD and then in Madison, WI and Door County, WI, near Lake Michigan after retirement. In these different places, they housed government workers from other countries, university students and interns in exchange for help with the house, gardens, and landscaping. This led to lively exchanges of ideas and long-term friendships. Morris loved these opportunities for connection, and he was a wonderful mentor and role model.

Morris and Carolyn adopted their only child Rebecca from South Korea as an infant. Morris was a dedicated, loving, and fun father, driving Rebecca to swim team practice and meets for over 10 years at all hours and being a swim team parent volunteer. During Rebecca’s early years, Morris was the primary caregiver as a graduate student with flexible hours. Carolyn worked full time as a research scientist at the National Institute of Mental Health, also in Bethesda. This role reversal was uncommon then, but it mainly worked well. Morris was an excellent male role model who showed Rebecca what she could expect from a partner. He only lost his temper twice that she can remember, and she thought it was for good reason.

Morris was curious and adventurous, open to new ideas and opportunities. He enjoyed photography, wrote poetry and short stories, created art, and learned to play the harp (sort of), and more. He was a Unitarian Universalist, active in congregations in Bethesda, Madison, and Door County. He worked on many committees and was both a Lay Minister and youth mentor in Madison. Social justice and racial equity remained his passions. He was a strong supporter of Just Dane (previously Madison Urban Ministry). He led an interfaith group MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equality, and Solidarity), which also worked on criminal justice reform.

Morris was a vibrant member of the Capitol Lakes Retirement Community in Madison, WI, for the last 8 years of his life. He spearheaded many activities, often that emphasized community and connection. This included organizing activities where people in independent living and assisted living could interact with one another. Morris loved being in nature and was an avid walker, both indoors and around the city, leading other residents on walks outdoors. He enjoyed the indoor pools and loved playing water volleyball. Both here and before he moved, he was seen at social events sporting a waistcoat made entirely from neckties, after colleagues at the Madison law firm had teased him about his formal attire. He became known as Morris with the Amazing Multicolored Waistcoat.

He was a thoughtful man with serious ideas and insights, sometimes profound and typically worth consideration. This was coupled with his joyful, exuberant nature. He was kind and generous, ---an uplifting person who lifted the spirits of others. He was a happy man, with a beaming smile and joyous laugh, that was contagious. He is remembered as a moral man who lived his values in his actions and compassion. Caring for others made him happy. The world could use more men like him.

Morris is preceded in death by his parents and five siblings. He is survived by wife and soulmate, Carolyn Zahn Waxler of almost 60 years and by daughter Rebecca (J. Morgan). He is also survived by nephews Michael Bloom and Jay (April) Waxler and their children.

The family wishes to thank the staff at University of Madison Hospitals for the exceptional quality of care and kindness provided to Morris in his final days of life.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434