Donald Howard Moe
March 23, 1927 – May 27, 2011
Donald Howard Moe of Bainbridge Island, Washington passed away peacefully on Friday, May 27, 2011 at the age of 84. He was the youngest of two brothers and two sisters born to Einer and Ethel Moe in Wenatchee and raised in Entiat, Wa(r)shington.
Don worked as a forest service lookout during World War II and quit high school to enlist in the Navy in 1944. The military sent him to radio school, Southeast Missouri State College and Oberlin College in Ohio. He also went to flight school and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. Don attended the University of Washington (UW) until a family illness led him to return home to help his family and take jobs with the U.S. Forest Service and Bonneville Power Administration. He returned to complete his Bachelor of Science degree at Washington and began working for a British import / export firm before joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Don temporarily retired from the FBI to help his father manage his trucking business, support the family finances, and relocate his parents during the construction of the Rocky Reach Dam that flooded his boyhood home. He rejoined the service and worked for 24 dedicated years as a special agent. Over his career he worked and/or lived in Ithaca and Watertown, New York; Denver, Colorado; San Francisco and Modesto, California; Seattle and Bainbridge Island, Washington. After his second retirement in 1978, Don built a house, performed background investigations to support personnel security clearances, and worked as a finish carpenter. Over the years, Don was an active member of the Bainbridge Island Rotary, Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. He was a great storyteller who kept his family and friends entertained. He was also a skilled woodworker. Above all he was a devoted husband, great father, and strong role model for his kids.
Don is survived by his wife Beverly of 59 years, his brother Robert Moe, and kids Diane Wallingford (Bob), Kirsten Steiert (Mike), Eric Moe (Claire Younker), Julie Burke (Eric), 11 grandchildren, and too many nieces, nephews, and extended family to count. He is preceded in death by his brother Arnold, and sisters Beryle and Velma. Prior to his death he enjoyed spending time with his family; teasing his wife, kids, and grandkids, reading history, watching baseball, and writing stories from his days growing up.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church on Bainbridge Island at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 18, 2011. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bainbridge Island Rotary Scholarship Foundation P.O. Box 11286, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 or the charity of your choice.
Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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