Robert Emmett Moore

1931 - 2024

Robert Emmett Moore, 92, passed away peacefully at home in the wee hours of the morning on July 14, 2024, with his wife and best friend, Robin, nearby.

Bob, as he was commonly known in Montana, was born on November 17, 1931, in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was raised. He was the only child of Emmett Orren Moore and Johnnie Holton Moore, although he had two half-sisters, Mabelle Moore, and Virginia Moore Pond, who were 22 and 20 years older than he was. His father was a clerk for the railroad, and his mother was a schoolteacher.

Growing up in Wichita Falls, he began his education at Mrs. Rundell's Primary School before entering Alamo Elementary School, Wichita Falls Jr. High School, and Wichita Falls Sr. High School from which he graduated at age 16 in 1948.

After graduating from high school, Bob attended North Texas State College in Denton, Texas, where he graduated in 1952 with a degree in Biology.

Bob married Sara (Sally) Robertson on June 12, 1953, in Marlin, Texas.

In the fall of 1953, Bob entered the U.S. Navy, attending Officer Candidate School, in Newport, Rhode Island. He served three years as a Watch Officer in Pusan, S. Korea, and Yokosuka, Japan

After his discharge from active duty, Bob completed a Master's program in Zoology at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, in 1959, where Bob and Sally's son, David, was born. Bob then obtained his Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Texas in Austin in 1962, where daughter, Susan (Sue), was born.

In August of 1962, Bob moved to Bozeman, Montana, for his first academic appointment as an Assistant Professor of Zoology in the Zoology & Entomology Department at Montana State College (MSU).

During his many years in Montana, Bob was able to fulfill some of his boyhood dreams and became an avid outdoorsman. He hiked extensively throughout the region, hunted big game, climbed many mountains in Montana and across the Pacific Northwest Region, canoed the rivers, and skied in the winters.

In 1982, Bob and Sally parted ways. On June 18, 1983, Bob married Robin Lee Kistler in Lake Park, Florida, beginning another 41 years of adventure. Bob and Robin continued to explore the Montana outdoors, hiking, climbing, and hunting together. They also added birding to their outdoor pursuits.

In February of 1990, Bob and Robin's son, William (Will), was born and the outdoor adventures continued with William at their side.

Bob was a gifted and passionate teacher and mentor who truly cared about his students and who would try his best to help each student to succeed in his classes.

Over his 33+ years at Montana State University, Bob taught a variety of courses in the Biology (Ecology) Department, and he approached each course with enthusiasm and interest.

Field Ornithology was very special to him. He taught this course for 31 years. It brought him great satisfaction and joy to share with students his love for birds and the natural world in an outdoor setting.

Bob's greatest rewards and sense of fulfillment as a teacher came from helping his students in their academic pursuits. As the Acting Head (1983-1985) and the Head (1989-1995) of the Biology Department, he also experienced great satisfaction in helping his faculty peers to achieve their career objectives.

Bob's faith was important to him as well. He and Robin were members of the First Baptist Church of Bozeman, now Peace of Christ Community Church, on the corner of Olive and South Grand, for 41 years.

Bob was a kind and thoughtful person who cared deeply about people. Giving of his time to help others was a hallmark of his character. He loved the natural world and was a gifted and passionate educator who made a positive impact on many lives over his 62 years in the Bozeman community. He was a good man. Bob will be greatly missed by his wife of 41 years, Robin, his family, and his many friends.

To read Bob's full obituary, please visit his page at www.dokkennelson.com.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett & Johnnie Moore; his two half-sisters, Mabelle and Virginia; his former wife, Sara (Sally) Rose; and a grandson, Brice Bundy.

Bob is survived by his wife, Robin; his children, William (Meghan) of Helena, Janet (Ralph) Tanner of Duchesne, Utah, David of Duchesne, Utah, and Susan (Dan) of Clam Gulch, Alaska; eight grandchildren; granddaughter-in-law, Natasha Bundy; eight great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Sherri Moore, of Billings; and brother-in-law, Jack (Susan) Robertson of Austin, Texas.

The family would like to thank the folks at Enhabit Hospice for their kind, compassionate care of Bob during these final months. Special thanks to his nurse, Paula, bath aide, Abra, and Bethany for their thoughtful care and attention.

Private family interment will be held at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 10, at Peace of Christ Community Church, 120 S. Grand, with a reception to follow on the lawn.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to honor Bob's teaching and conservation legacy to the Sacajawea Audubon Society Bob Moore Scholarship Fund at the Montana State University Alumni Foundation (www.msuaf.org/BobMoore) or mail a check to: MSU Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 172750, Bozeman, MT 59717, and note in the memo line the fund name.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com