Richard Moore

RICHARD AUSTIN MOORE

12/26/1956 - 2/5/2022

Dick passed away peacefully on Feb 5, 2022 at Hopewest Care Center after a 2 year battle with Cancer. Dick was a beloved Husband, Father, “Andaddy”, Friend, and Anesthesiologist. He loved his family, the outdoors, traveling, and his chosen profession of Anesthesia. His love of life, dry sense of humor, and commitment to excellence was admired and respected by all that knew him.

Dick was born in Ft Eustis, VA on December 26, 1956. His family moved to Englewood, Colorado when he was one year old, where he was raised and attended school. He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1975 where he excelled as a 3-season athlete and graduated as the salutatorian in his class. He went on to study at the University of Colorado Boulder and graduated with a degree in Biochemistry in 1979. It was during the following year while doing Pediatric Pulmonary Research that he met the love of his life, Kim. They were later married in June 1982. Dick started Medical School in Sept 1980 at the University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver. Upon graduation in 1984 he was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army. Dick completed his Internship at Presbyterian/St Luke’s, Denver and Anesthesia Residency at University of Colorado Health Science Center. During this time Kim and Dick welcomed their eldest Son, Michael in 1985. After completion of his training Dick served 4 ½ years at Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft Lewis, WA where he was promoted to the rank of Major. While stationed at Ft Lewis, they welcomed son Jeffrey in 1987 and daughter Lauren in 1989. When his Army service was completed in December 1990, Kim and Dick relocated their family to Grand Junction, CO, where Dick began private practice in Anesthesia at St Mary’s Medical Center.

During his 16 years at St Mary’s he helped open and served as the Medical Director of the Grand Valley Surgery Center. In 2007 he moved from St Mary’s to Community Hospital where he practiced until his retirement in 2020. He served as President of the Mesa County Medical Society in 1997 and served on the Board of Directors and as a delegate to the Colorado Medical Society for many years afterwards.

In addition to his passion for practicing medicine, Dick was an active outdoor enthusiast. He took full advantage of the many opportunities for backcountry and downhill skiing, fishing, backpacking, biking, hiking, and canyoneering that the Western Slope of Colorado offers. He always had a friend, child, or dog along whenever possible and savoured any type of shared adventure. Closer to home, Dick had a love of gardening from a young age and derived great satisfaction from the (literal) fruits of his labor. He developed and produced a legendary hot sauce from the peppers grown in his garden and proudly branded it “Dickalicious”. Over the years he increased his production to as many as 600 bottles per year to meet the demand of its many fans. Despite its wide popularity, Dick insisted on giving away the bottles for free and generously shared it with everyone he met.

This attitude reflects one of his driving principles- to serve others and give back. Throughout his career Dick volunteered for multiple medical mission trips as a member of a surgical team providing needed care in developing countries including Chile, Venezuela, Nicaragua, China, and Bangladesh. He also volunteered locally for non-profit organisations addressing homelessness and health inequalities, as well as dedicating time and resources to fundraising for worthy organisations wherever he found them.

Dick is survived by his wife of 39 years Kim, his children Michael (Amanda) of Grand Junction, Jeffrey (Natasha) of Singapore, and Lauren Gillespie (Andrew) of Edinburgh Scotland, and his three Grandchildren, Quentin, Mia, and Eloise, with a 4th due to arrive in May. He is also survived by his three siblings Cathy Moore (Denver, CO), Elizabeth Schear (New Orleans, LA), and Christopher (Chris) Moore (Buckley, WA). He was preceded in death by his Father, Austin and Mother, Marguerite Moore.

The surviving family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care Dick received from Dr King and his team at Grand Valley Oncology as well as all the amazing caregivers from HopeWest Hospice. As a small attempt to honor this, the family suggest that memorial tributes go to HopeWest, 2754 Compass Drive, Grand Junction 81506, or to the James Pulsipher Cancer Center, c/o Community Hospital Foundation, 2351 G Rd., Grand Junction, 81505.