Robert G. Moore, 100, died Sept. 15

Robert Gilmore Moore, 100, died peacefully at his home on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

Born on June 15, 1923, the youngest of three children, he lived his entire life in Rockbridge County. His parents were Annie and William S. Moore.

He attended Virginia Military Institute and Hampden-Sydney, interrupting his education to serve in the U.S. Navy in World War II. After graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with an agricultural degree, he operated his father’s farm here in the county. He particularly enjoyed working with his flock of sheep and he was active in the Rockbridge Sheep Producers and the Valley Northern Wool Growers Associations.

Although he was firmly anchored in the area here from childhood on, many more residents of the city and county got to know him while he served as postmaster in Lexington for over 20 years.

Easygoing and meditative, yet persevering by nature, much of Bob’s effort went into working with others to serve his community. An Eagle Scout himself, he founded a Boy Scout troop in the Kerrs Creek area early on. He served on the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors, the Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital board of directors and was a member of the Lexington Rotary Club.  He was a lifelong member of New Monmouth Presbyterian Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as an elder.

An enthusiastic outdoorsman, Bob was an avid and active turkey hunter on into his early nineties. Having grown up on Whistle Creek and the Maury River, fishing also became a favorite hobby. He had an innate understanding of the natural world and supported many conservation efforts.

He was always happy to attend picnics and celebrations with family and friends and to watch games with fellow enthusiasts of any of the college ball sports. Bob cherished having a large group of Lexington and Rockbridge County friends from his youth and considered himself especially fortunate to have been able to carry on those friendships throughout the many decades of their lives.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Olivia Comer Moore, and his son, Dr. Avtar Robert Moore.

He is survived by his daughter, Maxine Moore Jochum (Christoph) and his daughter-in-law, Mukanday Moore; his grandchildren, Amrit, Gobind and Savraj Moore, as well as David Jochum (Christiane), Elinor McGrath (Peter) and Louisa Blatt (Daniel); his six great-grandchildren, William Jochum, Ryan, Nicholas and Aaron McGrath, Carl and Helena Blatt; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Bob’s wonderful group of caregivers for their dedicated efforts which enabled him enjoy their friendship and to remain in his homeplace. We also appreciated the support of Rockbridge Area Hospice Connections +.

A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. at New Monmouth Presbyterian Church.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:15 pm on in the church entry/narthex. The inurnment will be private.

Those wishing to honor Bob’s life may donate to New Monmouth Presbyterian Church, 2348 W. Midland Trail, Lexington, VA 24450, or Rockbridge Area Hospice, 315 Myers St., Lexington VA 24450 or any of their preferred charities.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.