Obituary of Richard Whiteman Moore

Richard Whiteman Moore

Richard Whiteman Moore, of Erie, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 18, 2019 at the age of 83, surrounded by his loving family. The son of Frank B. and Jane Moore, he was born on January 9, 1936 at Saint Vincent Hospital. Richard graduated from Academy High School in 1953, followed by Thiel College in 1957 with a degree in chemistry. After college, he spent several years working as a chemist at National Distillers, a titanium plant in Ashtabula, OH. He decided to pursue education, and he began to teach high school chemistry in Jefferson, OH. Through the National Science Foundation, he was able to receive several scholarships, which enabled him to further his education and experience by attending the University of Southern Florida, the University of Virginia, and the University of Wisconsin. He graduated from University of Virginia with a master’s degree in Education in 1964, beginning a family legacy of attending this school. Following graduation, Richard began teaching first at General McLane school in Edinboro, followed by a teaching career in the Millcreek School District, where he taught at J.S. Wilson and then McDowell High School. He taught Honor’s Chemistry at McDowell until he retired in 1992. His passion was teaching the many high school students he had over the years and making chemistry understandable to them. During summers in the 1960s, he was a patrolman on Presque Isle State Park. At this time, he acquired a Captain’s License and ran the Presque Isle Patrol Boat for many summers. In retirement, he was able to dedicate more time to some of his favorite lifelong hobbies, including collecting antique cars and boating, as well as helping to raise his grandchildren. He owned many antique cars; however, his most prized possession was a 1932 Model B Ford Coupe.

Richard was a member of the Presque Isle Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America for many years, as well as a member of the Erie Yacht Club since 1962. He also was a member of Phi Delta Kappa honorary education fraternity. He was a former deacon at Wayside Presbyterian Church, where he was a longtime member. He will be remembered for his enduring wit and sense of humor, which he possessed up until the end.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan Page Moore, who he met at the age of 13, as well as two children, Steve Moore and his wife Becky of Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Susan Moore, MD, and her husband David Miller, of Erie. He also has four grandchildren: Fr. Jeffrey Moore of Bellingham, WA; Amy Moore of Seattle, WA; Mary Lasher of Erie, PA; and Tim Lasher of San Ramon, CA. His sister, Margaret Nelson, of St. Petersburg, FL, also survives. His family would like to thank St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge for the compassionate, loving care they’ve given him over the past several years.

Viewing hours will be held at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd, Erie, PA 16506, on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held there on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 11:00 am. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery. If desired, please send memorials to Wayside Presbyterian Church, at 1208 Asbury Rd, Erie, PA 16505, Second Harvest Food Bank, 1507 Grimm Dr, Erie, PA 16501, or the charity of one’s choice.