Brad J. Moriarty

1964 - 2024

Brad J. Moriarty

RAPID CITY - Brad J. Moriarty, 60, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024 at his home in Rapid City. Brad was born on February 28, 1964 in Tyndall, SD, the youngest child of Don and Maureen (Rokusek) Moriarty.

He grew up in Springfield, SD in a family with four older sisters. Living along the Missouri River, he enjoyed boating, fishing and waterskiing. He enjoyed his years as a Boy Scout and achieved his Eagle Scout in 1982.

Brad graduated from Springfield High School in 1982. He attended college at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology in 1986. He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, OR in 1990.

Brad established a successful professional practice as an Optometrist in Rapid City spanning a 30+ career. In addition, he served in the South Dakota Army National Guard for 22 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in May 2010.

In pursuit of both data and dating, Brad met his future wife, Gina Quast in a statistics course while attending USD. They were married on August 1, 1992 and were blessed with two children: Eric and Ross.

Brad loved the outdoors and spent time with both family and friends hiking, kayaking, biking, and skiing. He learned the game of soccer as an adult and enjoyed many years both playing with an adult league and coaching his sons' soccer teams.

Brad was an active member of the community participating in The Knights of Columbus at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the Kiwanis Club and Mary Hall Park Development. He enjoyed craft beers and had a stint of brewing his own beer. His Eagle Scout skills came in handy later in life as he was always the man in charge of fire-tending, grilling and diligently fixing whatever needed to be fixed.

Brad struggled for many years with declining health before formally being diagnosed with PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in June 2023.

The family would like to gratefully thank the wonderful staff of Monument Health, About You Physical Therapy, Cornerstone Caregiving, and Monument Home & Hospice for all their care and support following his diagnosis.

Grateful to have shared his life include his beloved wife, Gina Moriarty, Rapid City; sons: Eric Moriarty (girlfriend, Sara Duclos), Bristol, NH and Ross Moriarty, Bozeman, MT; mother, Maureen Moriarty, Sioux Falls, SD; sisters: Colleen (Mike) Monfore, Holland, MI, Erin (Steve) Lange, Sioux City, IA, Denise Moriarty (Jeff Schwebach), Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law: Karla (Randy) Handel, Sun Lakes, AZ, Lynette Quast (Michael Goodhope), Rapid City, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Don Moriarty, his sister, Diane Freeman, his father-in-law, Randy Quast and mother-in-law, Elanora Quast.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Cure PSP Organization. Cure PSP is a non-profit dedicated to the awareness, care, and cure of PSP and similar neurodegenerative diseases.

Visitation will be Monday, March 18, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Please visit the online memorial for Brad at: www.OsheimSchmidt.com.