Richard Morris, a Vietnam veteran and home builder who had a second act as a socially conscious novelist, died in late November.

Starting in 2007, the Hyattsville author wrote four novels touching on such major themes as the futility of war, interfaith romance and racial violence and recorded a CD of songs he wrote while serving as a rifle platoon leader in Vietnam.

His most recent book, “Masjid Morning,” was called by Kirkus Reviews: “a thought-provoking and ultimately moving story that looks at love, human nature, and conservative religion.”

He was a regular at local arts festivals, where he signed copies of his books and happily chatted with passers-by about writing. His books are available at Busboys and Poets and Franklins General Store.

Morris grew up in Cleveland, the setting of his lone young adult novel, “Canoedling in Cleveland,” which tackles racial segregation and environmental degradation within the story of a group of teens who spend the summer canoeing.

After serving in Vietnam, he earned an MBA from Harvard and worked in various parts of the housing industry before turning to novels late in life, starting with “Cologne No. 10 For Men,” a satire of Vietnam in the vein of “Catch-22.”

Morris died Nov. 21 after several weeks at University of Maryland Medical Center Shock Trauma in Baltimore, and a memorial service was held last weekend. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Morris; three children; six grandchildren; a sister; and nieces and nephews.