Moore, Larry R.

Larry R. Moore, PE, passed away peacefully on Sept. 9, 2012, surrounded by his three loving sons.

Larry was born Jan. 10, 1923, in Decatur, Ill., and called Decatur home until he was 14 years old. At that time the family moved to Mattoon, Ill.

Surviving are three sons and their wives, James F. and Sarah Moore of Concord, Mass., David L. and Lysa Moore of Iowa City and Charles E. and Wendy Moore of Casper, Wyo.; five grandchildren, Josephine Moore, Graham Moore, Arthur Moore, Alissa Moore and Sebastian Moore; and five stepgrandchildren, Rachel, Chad, Jenny, Sarah and Seth; and four great-grandchildren, Curren, Caleb, Brody and Brooke.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty); parents: father, Raymous (Ray) Moore, and mother, Anne Moore; and two younger brothers, Robert (Bob) of Portland, Ore., and William (Bill) of Western Springs, Ill.

After graduating from Mattoon (Illinois) High School in 1941, Larry enrolled at the Citadel (Military College of South Carolina) to study civil engineering. After a year, he switched his major to electrical engineering.

In 1942, Larry enlisted in the Army Air Corps to realize a childhood dream of flying and graduated from the Aviation Cadet program and was awarded the silver wings of an Army Air Corps pilot. Larry was first in class in his primary training at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and was also first in class in his advanced training at Stuttgartt, Ark. He was second in class in his basic training at Malden, Mo. He was retained for many months as an instructor in advanced twin engine flying and eventually, after a short period of duty with the Proving Ground Command, was sent to the B-29 program. Through the winter of 1944-1945, Larry served as assistant operations officer of Lowry Air Base in Denver, Colo. He was discharged in the fall of 1945 and served some years in the reserve. Larry continued flying as a private pilot until 1982.

After the war, Larry enrolled at the University of Illinois and changed his major to mechanical engineering, graduating in 1948.

On May 31, 1947, Elizabeth (Betty) Checkley and Larry were married and that started a wonderful 47-year relationship.

Larry was the chief engineer of the Des Moines office of Beling Engineering Consultants and in January 1959, with Jack Bouse, founded the Cedar Rapids firm of Moore and Bouse Consulting Engineering Co. He retired in 1984 from Larry Moore & Associates and Betty and Larry moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Because of health issues, Betty and Larry moved back to Mount Vernon in 1987. Betty passed away in 1994.

Larry, at various times, was a member of the Cedar Rapids downtown Rotary Club, Elmcrest Country Club, Cedar Rapids Country Club, Hillcrest Country Club and Pickwick Club.

Larry's memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon, by Celebrant Mary Morgan.

Published Sept. 11, 2012 in The Gazette