Charles Willard Moore, 94, passed away peacefully on Oct. 15, 2024, after a short illness. Charles was born Jan. 13, 1930, to Charles and Mae (Bowers) Moore of Leavenworth, Kan. Charles married Louise Marie Tate on Nov. 7, 1952, in Lawrence, Kan. They had two children, Michael
"Mike" and Jane. After their divorce in 1970, he traveled the world and met his final companion, Ann Luckey of Los Angeles, Calif. They resided in New Bern, N.C., and Laguna Woods, Calif. Charles graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1948, attended Park College in Parkville, Missouri, and graduated from The University of Kansas in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. While at KU, he helped start the DeMolay chapter of the Masonic Lodge. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite and a lifelong member of the King Solomon Lodge #10 in Leavenworth. He was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Order of the Arrow, always remembering and often reciting the Scout Oath and Law.
Charles led a full and interesting life. His early years were captivated with music. He played the trumpet, giving his first solo performance at 6 years old at a Leavenworth High School band concert. He went on to play in a number of bands during the jazz and big band eras. He was also a world traveler and a private pilot. He was an avid reader and enjoyed coin and stamp collecting, genealogy and animals, especially
dogs. Charles worked in hospital administration. He began his career at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo.,
and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.
He was Assistant Hospital Administrator at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., where he introduced the first computerized system for billing and patient administration. He went on to be Administrator at Cushing Hospital in Leavenworth, and Regional Administrator at medical centers in California and Nevada. Additionally, Charles enjoyed hospital and medical school development along the
East Coast, notably at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va., Eastern Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., and at Exeter University in Exeter, England. He also developed medical equipment in Bratislava, Slovakia. In his second career, he went into real estate development and was a broker in California and North Carolina. In his third career, he was passionate about patient rights for seniors. He used his medical knowledge to offer health insurance policies customized for seniors.
He is survived by his daughter Jane Nitchals (Kenneth), of Lawrence, grandchildren Matthew Woodward (Brandy), of Perry, and Peggy Hugen (Todd), of Des Moines, Iowa, three great-grandchild, Kenneth Woodward, Abigail Hugen and Thomas Hugen and his faithful friend/companion, Daisy, a 14-year-old poodle.
He is preceded in death by his longtime companion Ann Luckey, of Laguna Woods, CA, parents Charles and Mae, sister Elizabeth Myers and son, Mike Moore.
Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 2 at Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee, Leavenworth, Kan. Service and Interment at Mt. Muncie Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kan., following visitation.
Memorial donations in memory of Charles can be made to the ASPCA.