Roger Warren Moore

SHARON — Roger Warren Moore died at his home in Sharon on June 26, 2012, with family at his side. He was 95. Born and raised in Stafford Springs, Conn., Roger graduated from Westminster School and matriculated at Williams College in 1935. Throughout high school and college he competed in track and field at a high level and was captain of the track team. He excelled in the high hurdles and was considered an Olympic-caliber athlete in that event.After graduating from Williams in 1939 he pursued his medical degree at New York University, during which time he was introduced by a mutual friend to Jean Kissock of Forest Hills, N.Y., and Laurelton, N.J. The couple married in 1943 and enjoyed a remarkable 61 years of marriage until Jean died in 2004.During World War II he served as captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, joining the military in 1944 and receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. His service included 20 months overseas. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon.He did his medical residency at the VA Hospital in Van Nuys, Calif., where the couple’s first two children were born. The family moved east in 1953 and settled in Sharon where their third child was born. There Dr. Moore joined Sharon Clinic founders Drs. Fisher, Fowler, Gevalt and Noble, becoming one of eight physicians considered to be the original core of the successful medical group.Dr. Moore’s generosity and tireless dedication to patients made him one of the Northwest Corner’s most popular and respected internists. He would often leave his residence in the middle of the night to attend to patients, and routinely made house calls at a time when that tradition was fading. He was known not to charge those who were unable to afford medical care. On Christmas morning, hospital rounds had to be completed first, while at home the family would wait to begin the day until he returned. Dr. Moore was an attending physician at Sharon Hospital and sat on the hospital board for many years.After the Sharon Clinic closed he maintained his private practice in the building with a core staff that for a time included his daughter Sharon. While he officially retired in 1996 at the age of 80 after more than 50 years of service, he remained very much a caregiver and medical advisor to those in need, and made regular visits to both Sharon Hospital and Noble Horizons.Dr. Moore was deeply involved with Maplebrook School in Amenia, N.Y., and in 1997 received the Headmaster’s Award for his volunteer service as trustee (1965-1988) and president of the Board of Trustees (1973-1987).At various times he served as president of the Sharon Historical Society and president of the Sharon Fish and Game Club.An experienced sailor, Roger loved being on the water. He was a member of the U.S. Power Squadron and was skilled at small boat handling as well as celestial navigation. From the mid- to late-1960s the family would explore the New England coast while living for a week on chartered 30- and 40-foot sloops or schooners captained by Dr. Moore. In the summer of 1974, at age 57, he completed an Atlantic Crossing with three other sailors. The four men sailed the 45-foot yawl Perelandra from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Bantry Bay, Ireland, covering 2,309 miles in 16 days. Propelled by gale-force winds, they arrived three days ahead of schedule.He was a naturally gifted musician with a fine voice who sang in the church choir and occasionally played piano for family and friends. A longtime jazz enthusiast, he especially loved the big band and swing eras and listed Oscar Peterson as one of his favorite jazz pianists.He is survived by a sister, Pauline, of Asheville, N.C.; daughter Sharon Tingley of Sharon; son Christopher of Avon; son Charles of Harvard, Mass.; and grandchildren Julia Kivitz of New York City, Cyrus Tingley of Philadelphia, Pa., Alison Moore of Boston, Mass., Dana Moore of Avon and Andrew and Sarah Moore of Harvard.A service will be held at Salisbury Congregational Church on Saturday, July 7, at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to SVNA Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice.