Dr. Edgar Benjamin Moore

Dr. Edgar B. Moore of Berea, Ohio, a professor of history at Baldwin Wallace University for 45 years and a member of the town’s City Council, passed away peacefully October 16, 2017, surrounded by his family.

Born July 17, 1928, Dr. Moore started his career as an ordained United Methodist minister, serving churches not far from his boyhood home of Philadelphia. His interest in academia led him to pursue a Ph.D. at St. Andrews University in Scotland. (Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, completed their undergraduate studies there.) In his dissertation, he examined the political theories of Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli, two of the 16th century Protestant reformers.

Dr. Moore came to Baldwin Wallace University (previously, Baldwin-Wallace College) as chaplain. He moved to the History Department and rose to become department chair. He helped broadened the scope of the department’s course offerings. When he arrived, the department faculty taught American and European history solely from the perspective of Caucasian men. To resolve the issue, he introduced a course on African history. Later recognizing that women’s points of view were rarely represented in history, he established Women in Western Civilization. The course featured the role of women in history, especially during the 19th and 20th centuries. These additions to the curriculum provided Baldwin Wallace students with a richer understanding of history from different perspectives.

His interest in politics, evidenced by his Ph.D. dissertation topic, led him to join Bereans for Kafer, a grassroots organization that fought to halt the town’s urban renewal. (Jack Kafer was elected mayor at that time and served the city for many years.) Bereans for Kafer captured virtually all council seats. Dr. Moore was elected President of Council. His task was to chair council meetings, which was a challenge in the aftermath of such dramatic change in leadership. He conducted the meetings impartially and allowed all to express their views.

Dr. Moore had diverse interests. In his youth, it was adventure in the form of mountain climbing. He scaled some of the highest peaks in New England and the American West. Later in life, he extended his love of history to genealogy. He and his family traveled to Ireland to trace his Moore ancestors. He also served as parliamentarian of the Genealogical Committee of the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio.

His greatest joy was sharing time with his wife and family, whether it was participating in Boo at the (Cleveland) Zoo, exploring the back roads of Scotland, vacationing at the family retreat in Northfield, Massachusetts, or just watching CNN with them in the evening.

In addition to his professional and personal pursuits, Dr. Moore was a member of the United Methodist Church of Berea for over 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert M. Moore and Helen Peck Moore, and a sister Barbara M. Moore. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gracelouise (G.L.) Sims Moore; three children, Cynthia Moore, Robert Moore, and Mary Louise (M.L.) Moore, and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Muehlhauser Moore; six grandchildren, Sarah Moore, Elizabeth Moore, Patrick Moore, Quinn Sekreta, Sasha Sekreta, and Edgar Moore as well as two grandsons-in-law Matt Guba and Jim Villani; a great-granddaughter, Isabelle Guba; and a sister, Mary Helen Neuendorffer.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that contributions be made to the United Methodist Church of Berea on behalf of the “Guatemala Women’s Association,” 170 Seminary Street, Berea, Ohio 44017, (440) 234-3525, ext. 103. A Celebration of Dr. Moore’s Life will take place at the Berea United Methodist Church. The date and time will be announced shortly.

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