Death Notice

Paul F. Moore

September 01, 1926 - March 01, 2010

Paul F. Moore, of Bloomfield Village, died March 1, 2010, at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. He was 83 years old. Mr. Moore was born September 1, 1926, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to Hattie (nee Whitfield) and Algernon Moore. Paul was a veteran of the United States Army Signal Corp, serving during WWII. After growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and serving our nation, Paul graduated from Otterbein University of Westerville, Ohio, where he met and married Ruth Anne Smith. He spent many years with Chrysler Corporation in Metropolitan Detroit, Indianapolis, Japan and Australia. Retirement from Chrysler allowed him to enjoy playing bridge and golf at Oakland Hills Country Club and at Jonathans Landing in Jupiter, Florida.

Mr. Moore is survived by his wife, Ruth Anne and children, Jeff (Denise) Moore, Ann Moore and Amy Moore. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Clinton and Rose Moore and Kailee and Brooke Morgan.

Memorial Service at First Presbyterian Church, 1669 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, Friday 11am.

Memorials appreciated to the Autism Society of America, 4340 East-West Hwy, Suite 350, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

Condolences:

Paul F. Moore died on Monday around noon. He was more than Paul F. Moore - - he was my father, and will always be the love of my life. As the many stories have started to emerge about him this week, I am finding it increasingly difficult to define or to describe the man who he was. There are no big platitudes, just an unerring sense of integrity and a dry, original, intelligent sense of humor. I don't think they make men like this anymore. That's part of the reason he is difficult to sum up. I don't have the words for the vast contribution which he made. His virtues were big -- he fought in World War II, he traveled to China to help mechanize new industry, he raised a family and stood up for what he believed in, whether fixing pesky, sliding clutches or ordering new golf carts. He was loving, funny, accessible, quick to cut through to the very essence of life. I remember advice of his that came in two words. A difficult employee? "Broom him." Tell me in one sentence, he would say, about whatever I needed advice about or whatever was weighing me down. And in fewer words than that, he could solve any problem. At my first job out of college, in advertising in New York City (at Oglivy & Mather, long after the mad men, and long before the series) our entire account team would ask, when faced with a difficult question or if we had to solve a business problem for a client, "What would Amy's dad say?" And in the way that he thought, in our ability to wonder and imagine what he would suggest, we ran our lives and the client's business in the most effective and responsible way. I'm in shock over what's happened. Who's ever ready? I catch myself beginning to ask my mother, "Where's dad?" when she comes into a room. I want to play gin rummy with him so I can watch him play his cards. I want to sit with him and hear his few words, that summarize all that is good in life, all that is supportive. Towards the end, he hated that his mind was "bent," but in using that word, I thought how good his mind was. He was an original. He taught me — what it means to follow the beat of your own drummer. I still use too many words and they pale next to his. He would have been able to write this in a sentence. He would have been able to capture all of the meaning with the flick of a wrist, like he was hooking a fish on the St. Mary's River or putting the final answer into his New York Times crossword puzzle. He had the answer before any of us had the question.

Amy J. Moore

I miss you Dad, you tought me a lot and pointed the way for me. You had huge integrity. I will try to carry on for you and follow your lead. Thank You. And I love you. I know that you knew that.

Jeff Moore

Dear Moore family, We are grieving with you at the loss of "Amy's dad" - a stalwart, powerful life-force, a straight-shooter with a sly humor and an understated way. When I was with him I felt as if I were with my Dad -- a great listener, an incisive analytical mind, and a gleaming eye for his wife and children, and deep concern for their well-being. I am so sorry to never have shared a round of golf with you dear Mr. Moore, as I'm sure I would have gleaned powerful life lessons from that shared time in nature. You have made, with dear Ruth Anne, a family I love and have been blessed with sharing some of life's greatest pleasures. Your influence was profound and will continue through all your great work, deeds and care, through your family and friends. With respect and admiration...

David Browne