David Robert Moss
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot - July 16, 2016
David Robert Moss
December 17, 1943 – May 27, 2016
Dr. David (Dave) R. Moss, retired U.S. Army Colonel and long-time resident of North Routt County, passed away May 27th in Loveland at the age of 72.
Dave graduated for Plateau Valley High School and then began his studies at Colorado State University in 1960 on a Merit Scholarship. He participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) and graduated form CSU with honors and received a regular Army commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corp in 1965.
During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Dave fought with the 1st Cavalry Division as the commander of Division Chemical Units. He was awarded three Air Medals and a Bronze Star.
In 1969, the Army ordered Dave to return to CSU where he earned a Master’s degree in biochemistry. His brother Don, who had just completed his term of service as a field artillery officer, also returned to CSU to begin Ph.D. study. The two brothers combined their research on the biochemistry of brain function.
Following numerous important command tours of duty, including a tour in Fort Greeley, Alaska, a favorite for his sons Stace and Devin, Devin commanded the $250 million U.S. Army chemical weapons disposal plant on Johnson Island (in the Pacific, south of Hawaii) for 18 months. His responsibility was to oversee the destruction of aging chemical weapons that had been stored in Europe and other site around the world. Dave earned the promotion to Colonel.
Dave took special pride in the fact that no soldier under his command was killed; including the intense combat that took place in Vietnam, an unusual record. He retired out of tour of duty at the Pentagon in 1992 after 26 years of duty. Following his retirement, Dave returned to CSU to pursue his Ph. D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which he earned in 1998.
Dave and his wife Joni moved to Clark following the death of his father. Dave taught part-time on the faculty of Colorado Mountain Collage in Steamboat Spring, Colorado, for 9 years. Dave took special pride in the North Routt Fire Protection District where he served as a Board member for 8 years, and Chairman of the Board for 4 years. Dave was also an avid supporter of, and helped organize the financial support required to establish the North Routt Community Charter School. He leaves behind his wife Joni, brothers Dean and Don and their wives, 2 sons, 2 stepsons, and 5 grandchildren.
Dave gave himself to serve the greater needs of his career, community, and his family. We will love and honor him forever.
Donations may be made to the North Routt Community Charter School, the Preschool, or the North Routt Fire Protection District in Dave's honor.
