BODFISH, Morton

Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ May 26, 1966, p. 4 A Colorful Resident of Town Called The death of Morton Bodfish the afternoon of May 19 at his home in the Prescott Highway took from the Wickenburg area one of its more colorful figures of the past 20 years. A great believer in keeping the West, and especially Wickenburg, western, Mr. Bodfish practiced what he preached. During the years he was active both nationally and internationally in the building and loan field and also serving as board chairman and president of the First Federal Savings & Loan of Chicago, he came to Wickenburg as frequently as those arduous duties would permit. Immediately upon arriving here he exchanged the attire of a captain of finance for cowboy boots, Levi’s, bright shirt and broad-brimmed hat, mounting the wheel of a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and proceeded to enjoy the relaxed carefree life of an Arizona gentleman rancher. He was a charter member and long time director of the Desert Caballeros which organization conferred the Silver Spur Award upon him in 1961 as the Wickenburg citizen who had done the most to “Keep Wickenburg Western.” He acquired extensive landholding in southern Yavapai County on a portion of which he established his Mesa Bonita Ranch and built a large home. He developed a number of homesites in the area on several of which fine homes have been built over the years. He was still developing his land at the time of his death. Mr. Bodfish was born in Michigan June 13, 1902. He had not been in the best of health. Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. John Williams, were held at the First Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. Tuesday of this week. Additional services were scheduled for Friday in Chicago. He is survived by his wife Marjorie.