Robert ‘Bob’ E. Moore

A 1938 graduate of Graveraet high school, he attended Northern State Teachers’ College (now NMU) and Michigan State University.

Soon after Pearl Harbor, he dropped out of MSU in February 1942 and enlisted in the U. S. Navy pilot training program, becoming a Naval aviator in August, 1943, with a commission as 2nd Lt. in the U. S Marine Corps. In January, 1945 he was assigned as a combat pilot in the Pacific theater flying fighters and dive bombers. As a result of his actions, Bob received several medals and was considered one of the best pilots in the squadron. He flew his last combat mission on August 7, l945 just before the A-bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He retired from the USMC reserve as a captain in 1950. His first job after WWII was as a salesman at the Marquette Public Service garage which was his entry into the business community. He left that job in 1955 and became an agent with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. He then added to his services by purchasing the North Michigan Insurance agency in 1962 and later became associated with Larson, Hetrick and Weaver (now VAST) and remained so for 20 years. In 1989 he retired from the business world at age 68.

As a life-long member of the community, Bob’s interest always kept him involved in many areas. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, was a charter member of the Marquette Ambassadors, was on the vestry and Bishop’s Council of the Episcopal church, and served 17 years on the board of Marquette General hospital. In 1994 he was appointed to the Marquette County board of the Michigan Dept. of Human Services, from which he retired in 2012, after 18 years of service. He became a member of the board of review for Marquette township in 1999.

As a member of a family of many talents, it was inevitable that Bob became involved in music. He learned to play the trumpet at age 12. A year later, he joined the Marquette city band, and throughout his lifetime, played close to 80 years with the band. At age 19, he auditioned for the Don Strickland orchestra, a popular Midwest dance band based in Minneapolis. He was hired and found himself in the company of jazz singer Peggy Lee and the trumpeter-comedian George Rock, who recorded the song “All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth.” In 1941 he returned home in order to enroll in Michigan State University. Much later in life, he joined the Westerly Winds big band, a local group, and played with them for 15 years and had a fun time as a member of a Dixieland group that played at the ski hill every Thursday night.

Flying remained an important part of his life. At one time he owned a seaplane which brought a lot of enjoyment to him and his family. He belonged to the Confederate Air Force in Texas and the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, participating in many air shows in Harlingen, Texas and Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Because of his close ties with K. I. Sawyer Air Force base he was very active in the Air Force association and ultimately was initiated into the Dadaelian society. In recent years, he was pleased to join the Wildcat squadron as an honorary member.

As an outdoorsman, an aviation enthusiast, a musician and always community-minded, Bob led a full life. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, the former Shirley Johnson, a daughter: Rachel Riggs, a granddaughter: Krystal Riggs, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Brian.

A gathering to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at the Landmark Inn in Marquette from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday July 9, 2019. Inurnment will take place in the Park Cemetery.

The Allo Coolman Funeral Homes are assisting the Moore family.

Please visit www.allofh.com to send online condolences to his family.

Remembrances may be made to the Marquette City Band, 300 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette.