Notice regarding John A. Moore
Provost Michael R. Halleran sent the following message to the cmapus community May 29 - Ed.
Dear colleagues,
I want to share the news that John A. Moore, Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures, Emeritus, passed away on May 19, 2015 at the age of 94. Professor Moore joined the College’s faculty in 1950, after earning his B.S. from Davison College, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Professor of Hispanic Studies George Greenia remembers John Moore this way: “He was my own first officemate back when even the most senior members of our department had to share offices with one other instructor and telephone lines with up to four. After I was hired as an assistant professor, I shipped dozens of boxes of books ahead not realizing how I was crowding the little space John had to work with – or what a good sport he would be about tucking his oversized and angular frame into the barricaded corner remaining to him. His modesty and gentle demeanor never failed him, nor a clever turn of phrase to delight his companions.”
Professor Moore authored two books in the Twayne World Authors Series of literary biographies, on Fray Luis de Granada (1504-1588) and Ramón de la Cruz (1731-1794), both of which endured long decades as classic reference works. His special love was Cervantes. He kept miniature figurines of Don Quixote and Sancho as personal talismans on his desk, ready for the days he could take them to class for a modest show & tell. It was the only gesture he ever made toward emergent educational technologies. Many students made their way to John counting on his indulgent kindness toward struggling language learners.
He is survived by his daughter Peggy (a William & Mary alumna) and grandchildren Samantha and Andrew. A service will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 11am at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com.
Sincerely,
Michael
