Brian Wesley Moores

MOORES, Brian Wesley, 81, of Ashland, Virginia, passed away on March 6, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, G. Duncan Moores and Velma Bray Moores; and brother, Barry Moores. Brian is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Constance A. Moores; daughters, Shannon Bousselaire (Michael) and Wendi Hughes; grandchildren who remember him as the sweetest Pop-Pop in the world, Dylan Hughes, Hannah Hughes, Jason Bousselaire, Carter Hughes, Grace Bousselaire, Fielding Hughes; and a treasured community of extended family, friends and colleagues.

Brian was born in Portland, Maine, and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. He went on to pursue his M.S. and Ph.D. in physical chemistry at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by a fellowship at University of California, Riverside. Having taught at University of Hartford, George Washington University and Oglethorpe University, Brian found his home in the Chemistry Department at Randolph-Macon College in 1980.

He chaired the R-MC chemistry department and was instrumental in the creation and growth of the environmental studies major. During his 25+ years teaching at the college, Brian contributed in any way he could to the alumni, faculty and students whether by running in a marathon to raise funds for the college, sharing gourmet foods with colleagues in their homes or hosting faculty and students at his home for food, singing and celebrating the ending of a successful year. As Professor Emeritus he continued his stewardship of the college and of the earth by co-teaching a course in which his students created what is now named Brian Wesley Moores Native Plant Garden.

Brian was a member of numerous organizations and served in a variety of roles. His contributions included service on boards and committees, raising funds, listening to those who came to the table and being a catalyst for action. He was an Emeritus Member of the American Chemical Society, Treasurer of the Virginia Section, ACS and featured speaker. Other memberships included Shalom Farms, the Center for Rural Culture: Fall Line Farms & Local Roots, Caretakers of God's Creation, Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir, organized table fellowship meals in homes of participants and served in ways beyond numbering as a part of the outreach of his faith community. Brian brought a joyful tenor voice not only to the Chancel Choir at DMUMC but also to the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, the Ashland Musical Variety Show and to any opportunity that presented itself in his daily life. He served on committees of the National Audubon Society and participated in multiple birding events. With an excellent recall for the songs of birds, Brian was often called upon to identify species by sound.

Second son of an itinerant Methodist minister father and a nature-loving vocalist mother whose performances ranged from operas to musicals, Brian became a lifelong learner on a dual mission of passionate environmental stewardship and in his words "to do what I can to ensure that every one of my students has the tools to be successful in life." His laugh, his hug, his listening, his caring, his gift for bringing people together for enjoyment and a larger purpose-these will be cherished by everyone who knew Brian.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m. at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 Henry Street in Ashland, with a reception for family and friends to follow.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Brian Moores Scholarship, Randolph-Macon College, P.O. Box 5005, Ashland, Virginia 23005.