Robert Ainsloe Morrisette, Sr.

(“RAM” 3/1923-7/1927 and 8/1929)

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Robert Ainsloe Morrisette, Sr. (11/24/1879 to 12/10/1940 (Forest Lawn)) was already an experienced draftsman when he initialed his first set of Charles M. Robinson Architects Plans in March of 1923.  He was the son of Robert Corneilus Morrisette and Alice Columbia Fisher Morrisette and was born in Aylett, Virginia.  His 1940 obituary states that he worked for – in addition to Charles M. Robinson Architects – Herbert A. Keene, Noland & Baskerville and Marcellus Wright, Sr.  In the Richmond City Directories of 1915 and 1916 he is listed as a draftsman with no place of employment with two different West Cary Street (2629 and 2204 1/2) addresses. 

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In the 1917 Directory he is listed as “Architect” and living at 1911 Powhatan Street.  The City Directories for 1918-1920 do not list him.  His WWI Draft Registration card dated September 11, 1918 lists him as medium height, slender build with Brown eyes and auburn hair, as being a draftsman for the U. S. Government at Camp Lee, and living with his wife, Mary Frances, at 1911 Powhatan Street. The 1921 directory lists him as a draftsman for H. L. Cain.  The 1922 directly lists him as a draftsman for Charles M. Robinson Architects, living in Chester.  There are no listings for 1923-1924.  The 1925-30 directories list him as a draftsman for Charles M. Robinson Architects.  The 1931 and 1932 directories list him as residing at 2401 5th Avenue, but no place of employment.  The 1934 directory lists him as a draftsman for J. Binford Walford. The 1936 and 1937 directories list him as a salesman. 

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He died on December 10, 1940 while living at 720 East Franklin, listing his employment as “architect.”  He died of Cardiac Failure from Heart Disease and is buried in Forest Lawn.  His 1940 obituary states that he had four daughters and three sons.  Robert Morrisette appears in the February 1926 photo of the drafting room.