Danford Alexander Moore
July 22, 1940 – January 5, 2016
One of a kind Husband, Supportive Father, Grandfather Extraordinaire, Musician, Story Teller, Rotarian, and Trivia Buff. Dan was a unique person and life with him was an adventure.
Dan touched so many of our lives. A cheerful, incredibly knowledgeable, world traveler, political enthusiast… he was always eager to welcome a new friend, share a good story, sing a good song, and make you feel down right fair dinkum. He was a proud father, even prouder grandfather.
He enjoyed bicycling (commuting and touring), square dancing, swimming, gardening, playing in a brass band, volunteer fire fighting, and giving back to his community through Rotary, the library and his Church. He was very interested in learning about other cultures, something that was sparked by his time in Adak, Alaska, Exmouth, Australia and Okinawa, Japan. You may not have always agreed with his opinions, but it was hard not to appreciate his zest for life.
He grew up in California and went to San Rafael High School; graduated from Oregon State with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While there he joined the US Naval Reserve and went to US Naval Reserve Candidate School. He was Commissioned in the US Coast and Geodetic Survey ( now NOAA). With them he was part of the International Indian Ocean Survey and later surveyed inlets in Alaska after the 1964 earthquake. Moving to Kitsap County in 1965, he became a volunteer fireman and a church lay leader which he continued with in Alaska and Western Australia. Took up square dancing in Alaska with Aleutian Whirlaways; taught it in Exmouth, Australia; and joined Paws and Taws and Sashays here at home. Also attended International Festivals in England, New Zealand and Australia. Returning to the US he joined the Farragut Brass Band and enjoyed bicycling through commuting to work and twice yearly tours. Special bicycle memories were a tour through the San Juans, a tour of the Skagit Valley with Brian, and one with Bronwyn on an Oregon Wine and Coast. Participated in Triathalons where he excelled at swimming honed by swimming before work at the South Kitsap High Pool. He was very proud to be a Rotarian with clubs in Australia, Okinawa and Port Orchard. His love of reading was fulfilled volunteering with Friends of the Library on Thursday. Friday mornings were a favorite as he read to the kiddies as they breakfasted or waited for classes to start at East Port Orchard School.
Dan started his work life as a newspaper boy, then sold shoes at Karl’s Shoes. He entered Government service at Hunter’s Point in San Francisco and continued there while attending Oregon State University graduating with a degree in Engineering. He attended US Navy Officer Candidate School but was commissioned into the US Coast and Geodetic Survey (now NOAA). He worked at PSNS and overseas then rounded out his career at Northwest Water Systems.
Survived by wife Frances, sister Cherie Fischer (Rudy Leon), son Brian Moore (Becky), daughters Tricia Mack (Brian) and Jennifer Bronwyn Pierce (Brandon), and grandchildren Conner, Dawson, Shelby, Jessie, Nikki, Koa, Maxx, and Indy.
Services will be held at Rill’s Life Tribute Center.
Memorials in honor of Dan may be sent to the organizations below. Please note Dan in the memo:
• Port Orchard Rotary Foundation, PO Box 616, Port Orchard, WA 98366
• St. Bede Episcopal Church, PO Box 845, Port Orchard, WA 98366
Go Beavers.