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Jack R. Moeller July 28, 1925 - May 3, 2020

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Jack R. Moeller, age 94,

Of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Rochester, MI and New Bremen, OH died on Sunday, May 3, 2020 at a hospital in Kansas City, KS after a brief illness. He was born on July 28, 1925 in New Bremen, the son of the late Raymond W. “Caddy” and Alfrieda M. (Vornholt) Moeller. On June 13, 1949, he married Hilda E. Roben on the campus of Oberlin College, and she died on January 2, 2016. Surviving are his children, Susan Moeller of Kansas City, MO, and Kurt (Judi) Moeller of Ellington, CT, and his three grandchildren: Katie (Blake) Billmyre, John Moeller and wife Celine Croft, and Chloe (Dan) Kardos; a brother and sister in-law, James (Pat) Moeller, and a sister in-law Ruth Moeller, all of New Bremen and also several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents and wife, Jack was preceded in death by his siblings and in-laws: Tom Moeller, Pauline (Vernon) Dunham, Louise (Charles) Hay, and Verneda Moeller.

Jack was a 1943 graduate of New Bremen High School. After graduation, he was drafted in September, to fight in WWII. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, serving in a support unit to General Patton’s unit until his return home in 1946. After the war, he went on to further his education at Oberlin College, graduating in 1949, and later graduating from Princeton University with his Ph.D. in 1955. Following his graduation from Princeton, he took a fellowship in Germany. He spent most of his career teaching at Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI. He was a German Professor and the department chair from 1964 until his retirement in 1993. It was in this time that he was also involved in writing many German language textbooks for use in high school and college classes. Jack loved to write, and it was his real passion in life. Outside of writing, Jack was an accomplished pianist, he had an appreciation for the arts, and he also loved to play Bridge.

Jack will be inurned next to this wife, Hilda, at the Grand Lake National Cemetery in Holly, MI at a later date. Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home is assisting the family locally, and condolences to the family can be left online at www.gilberghartwigfh.com

Jack will be inurned next to this wife, Hilda, at the Grand Lake National Cemetery in Holly, MI at a later date.

Condolences(8)

  1. REPLY
    John Hay says
    May 5, 2020 at 11:42 am

    Susan and Kurt, Sorry for the passing of your father. Uncle Jack had a great life and will be Missed.

  2. REPLY
    Chris Clason says
    May 5, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Dear Susan and Family,
    I am deeply saddened by the news of Jack’s passing. Jack was a wonderful colleague and friend, who was passionate about German language and culture. From the beginning of my time at OU, he was our mentor in the Department of Modern Languages at Oakland, and his textbooks made him a mentor to most people who have studied German over the past fifty years. I know how much he also cared for his wife and family, he was truly a wonderful person to know. My deepest sympathy and condolences to you all.

  3. REPLY
    Dean and Kate Hartwig says
    May 6, 2020 at 11:17 am

    Our deepest condolences to your family.

  4. REPLY
    Alice Hartwig says
    May 6, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    My deepest sympathy to you, Susan, Kurt and Jim and Pat and your families. One of my memories of Jack is when I was a 7th grader and Jack must have been a high school senior. He was the band drum major. I thought he was the greatest and I was so proud to be his cousin. Of course there are many great memories since then. And those memories of yours will be dear to you.

  5. REPLY
    Joel Russell says
    May 12, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    Susan, I’m sorry to hear of your father’s passing. In my early OU years I served on a few college and university committees with Jack who taught me how to be a respectful and productive contributor. In those days we knew role models outside of our academic departments and he was among the best. Jack was one of the nicest persons I have ever known. I have strived to live up to his habit of seeing the best in everyone and always seeing the positive way to solve problems although at times without his success. While this is sad news of Jack’s death, this provided an opportunity to recall fond memories of him at OU and you with the AAUP.

  6. REPLY
    Bonnie McNeill says
    May 12, 2020 at 10:47 pm

    To the Moeller family: I was department secretary in Modern Languages at OU and knew Jack for many years. He was so respected and even revered by faculty, staff, and students and yet was so down to earth and humble. He was always eager to assist anyone who needed help. He even accompanied my daughter for her flute performance at the middle school solo and ensemble competition. Another time he went out of his way to introduce me to his neighbor, a famous Detroit Lions quarterback, whom I admired. Sounds kind of silly, but Jack was just someone who enjoyed pleasing others. He was a great gentleman. My sincere condolences to you all.

  7. REPLY
    Jane Eberwein says
    May 14, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    To the Moeller family: Bob and I send you our sympathy. We taught at Oakland University with Jack for many years and appreciated his gracious, kindly manner and his willingness to take on challenging assignments, notably his service as acting dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. My sister, who taught German in a Massachusetts high school, remains in awe of his accomplishments in preparing and updating the textbooks that gained him national recognition. She joins us in wishing you comfort.

  8. REPLY
    Mary L. Wermuth, class of 1965 says
    May 15, 2020 at 3:13 pm

    To the Moeller Family: I send my sympathy to you all. Prof. Moeller was my German professor. His patience in teaching me German in order for me to pass my exams for my degrees was very appreciated. He also became a model of patience for me to follow in my own teaching. May you be comforted in remembering his joy of life.

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