Hans Herman Moeller

Hans Herman Moeller

Poughkeepsie, NY - Hans Herman Moeller of Poughkeepsie, NY passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at his home at the Manor at Woodside. He was 89 years old. Hans was born on April 20, 1931, in Brooklyn NY and was the eldest son of German immigrants, Walter and Alette Moeller.

Hans graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood Queens and then proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1951-1954 as a radar operator in the 603rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. He was stationed at the Giebelstadt Air Force Base in Germany where he met his wife, Inge of Wurzburg. After returning home and starting a family in Hollis Queens, he attended The City University of New York majoring in economics and graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa in 1961. He was a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and two-time president of the Mariners Club. He worked for several companies in the insurance industry, including the Travelers Insurance Co., Public Service Mutual Insurance Co., AIG and North Island Facilities Ltd., while living in both Hicksville on Long Island and Cold Spring in Putnam County. In addition, he was an adjunct professor teaching the CPCU exam prep course at Barnard College.

He was extremely community minded and the consummate volunteer. He started donating blood at the age of 14, when family members were expected to make up for blood needed by loved ones. This led to his eventual commitment to organizing blood drives for both companies he worked for and the Philipstown Community, where he served as Chairman of the local blood drive for over 24 years. Along the way, he donated over 28 gallons of blood, created the 9/11 Memorial Platelet Group and received a national merit award from the American Association of Blood Banks in San Diego, CA recognizing the greatest single contribution to enhance the field of blood banking by non-blood bank employees.

Hans was very proud to be a volunteer firefighter for the North Highlands Engine Co. No. 1 in Philipstown, NY for over 25 years, including two years as Chief from 1999-2000, during which he oversaw the completion of a new fire station. He was then elected Commissioner of the North Highlands Fire District from 2003-2010. He also volunteered at his local P.T.A., The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and for numerous local organizations and events. He was very athletic, ran track in high school and, in his forties, Hans decided try the New York City Marathon. He entered and completed 5. Hans was also an avid handball player and enjoyed camping and hiking all around the country with his family and good friends the Gapps, including many stretches along the Appalachian Trail. He was always the life of the party and had an endless supply of old jokes, which he recycled relentlessly. Hans would have wanted to be remembered as a great American, which is how he lived every day.

Hans was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Inge and two younger brothers, Walter and Arnold. He is survived by his three sons and their wives: Hans P. Moeller (Angela) of Wantagh, NY, Thomas R. Moeller (Heather Rolland) of Bovina Center, NY and Richard K. Moeller (Linda) of Cornwall, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Richard, Lauren, Caitlin and Bryan Moeller, Lisa Bucci (Jonathan), Angela Nappi (Franz Scholten), Maya Fischer, great-grandchild Victoria, many nieces and nephews, including Sandra Moeller with whom he shared so much, as well as many friends, former business associates and fellow members of the North Highlands Engine Co. No. 1.

In honoring his wishes, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Hans' name to Doctors Without Borders or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.