January 2, 1927 – February 19, 2018
Andrew I. Moe, 91, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2018 after a long illness.
Andrew was born in Tacoma, WA to Ole and Ingeborg Moe. He was the youngest in his family with four brothers and three sisters. He was married for 51 years to the “personification of young womanhood,” his lovely wife Dorothy Moe. He is survived by his well-loved children, Sylvia McGowan (Gene), Pam Barker (Neill), and Joyce Moe (Martha); grandchildren, Pam, Josh, Lindsey, Sam, Andrew, Loralyn, James, Brittany, Melissa, and Carolyn; great-grandchildren, Ben, Jackson, Samson, and Lucy; brother-in-law William Becker (Christine); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
After completing undergraduate degrees at College of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Andrew earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State College in Pullman. Andrew was a Regulatory Veterinarian for the State of California for 33 years. His work included eradicating brucellosis in cattle in California. He was also on the task force that eliminated Avian Influenza from Southern California in the 1970s. He was a member of the No. San Joaquin Vet Med Assn (Pres 1979) and a Charter Member of the Calif Vet Medical Assn.
Service to his country, his community, and his family was a core value for Andrew. He served in the Air Force on active duty from 1954-1956 and in the Air Force Reserves for 28 years, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and would have been the commanding officer of a MASH hospital to arrive on the seventh plane, if forces were deployed into Cuba. He was a VFW Life Member (Commander Post 4144/1998-2001, Quartermaster 2000-02, Trustee Post 3199/2004-05), a Charter Member of the Military Officers Assn, and a Life Member of the following organizations: American Legion, Reserve Officers Assn, Retired Officers Assn, and Assn of Military Surgeons US.
Andrew was also a member of The Shriners (Bd Dirs Modesto 1995), Masons (Illustrious Master Modesto Chpt 1983, Allied Masonic Degrees Pres 1991, Man of Yr Award 1999), York Rite, and Scottish Rite (Pres Central Valley 1997, Bd Dirs 1998-2004). He served as “Rainbow Dad” and a board member for the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (Grand Cross of Color). He chaperoned dances and drove carloads of Rainbow Girls to many events. He was also a member of the Sons of Norway, and the Modesto Elks Lodge 1282. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church for over 50 years and served in several roles there.
Andrew touted himself as a “Man of Moderate Means with a Few Non-Problems.” In his retirement, he enjoyed having coffee with friends at the Brenda Athletic Club and a glass or two of wine at VFW 3199 or at the Elks Lodge. He had a very analytical mind and could fix or build anything around the house. Andrew was a mentor and very influential to numerous people during his lifetime through his willingness to help those in need. He had a knack for encouraging others and could put a positive spin on almost any situation. His honesty, integrity, and respect for others proved a role model for everyone who knew him.
Andrew will be honored with a military ceremony at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella on Tuesday, February 27th at 11:30AM, and with a Memorial Service at Franklin and Downs McHenry Chapel on Saturday, March 17th at 11:00AM. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice mentioning Andrew’s name.
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