Dr. John Ruairidh “Ru” Morrison retired after serving for 10 years as the Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS). Before becoming Executive Director, as an assistant research professor at the University of New Hampshire, he helped build a better understanding of Great Bay in New Hampshire using remote sensing tools. His successful career included important positions at IOOS Association; IOOS Federal Advisory Committee; Marine and Oceanography Technology Network, among others. He was a visionary, and thanks to his enthusiasm and charisma, he managed to establish important collaborations between scientists, resource managers, fishermen, NGOs, and the general public. Under his tenure at NERACOOS, his knowledge of marine science, coastal, and ocean environment was important to institute a successful regional observing system and to develop the Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN). CARICOOS is grateful for Dr. Ruairidh’s contributions for having served as an inspiration for future ocean stewards.