CHARLES MOORE


Dr. Charles Fairbanks Moore

Dentist, Civic Leader

Dr. Charles F. Moore, 88, died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family on Thursday, October 8, 2009, in Charlottesville, VA.

A lifelong Seaford resident, Dr. Moore lived and practiced dentistry here for thirty-nine years. Dr. Moore was born in Blades, Delaware to Madelyn McCue Moore and Jennings H. Moore on May 20, 1921. He graduated from Seaford High School in 1939 and enrolled in an accelerated academic program at the University of Delaware, and at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, the dental school of the University of Maryland. In 1943, he was awarded a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree. He was elected into the national honorary dental fraternity, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. In 1944 he was commissioned into the Dental Corps of the United States Navy and served through World War II until 1946, attaining the rank of lieutenant, junior grade. He served with the armed forces in Heidelberg, Germany. After the war, Dr. Moore returned to Seaford where he opened his dental practice on Pine Street in 1946. His practice ranged from preventive and restorative treatments to dental surgeries performed in his office with the assistance of local physicians who administered anesthesia. He began performing oral surgery procedures at the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital from the time the hospital opened in 1952. Dr. Moore retired from his dental practice in 1985. In recognition of his outstanding service to dentistry, Dr. Moore was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Dentists, and in the International College of Dentists. He was a life member and former president of the Delaware State Dental Society. He belonged to the American Association of Dental Examiners. Dr. Moore was a civic and community leader. He was elected to the State Board of Health, serving as President from 1961-63. Dr. Moore spearheaded the drive for the fluoridation of Seaford town water that is credited with improving the oral health of residents. Dr. Moore also served for many years on the board of directors of the Farmers Bank (later purchased by Citizens Bank). He was twice elected to the Delaware House of Representatives and served as Delaware State Auditor from 1963-5.

Dr. Moore was a 32nd degree Mason. Dr. Moore belonged to Blades Methodist Church where he served on the board of trustees for many years. He has been a devoted member of the Mount Olivet Church in Seaford since 1985. Dr. Moore often expressed gratitude for the support that he received from his friends and neighbors when he returned to Delaware after World War II and opened his dental practice. He repaid their kindness by donating his time and energy to church, town, educational institutions, community service organizations - particularly veterans, firemen and police - and non-profit organizations, especially those conducting medical research in cancer, and those protecting the environment. He routinely donated his dental services to indigent patients. In retirement, he remained a lifelong learner, read widely and was proud of mastering community extension courses in horticulture and boat navigation. Dr. Moore enjoyed the outdoors: ducking, hunting and fishing aboard his boat the Belmoore. He raised and hunted beautiful English setters and pointers, many of which were successful field trial dogs. He was a great lover of animals. In recent years, he was rarely seen without Rommel, his companion German shepherd. He was an avid gardener, and took great pride in maintaining his home just south of Blades where he lived for fifty-two years.

Dr. Moore is survived by his wife Helen Lucia Moore, daughter Marcia Moore, M.D. (John Imbrie) of Charlottesville, Virginia; two stepdaughters, Andrea (David) Sharp, Esq. of Pennsylvania and Donna (Tom) Downs of Centreville, Md., and eight grandchildren: John, Annabel and William Imbrie-Moore; Frank and Rachel Downs; and Sarah, Andrew and Rosemary Sharp. His first wife, Annabel McGee Moore, predeceased him in 1984. A devoted niece, Jane Larkin, also resides in Seaford.

The funeral service for Dr. Moore will be held at 2 pm, Tuesday, October, 13, at the Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 315 High Street, Seaford, to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; or Jericho Fellowship Int'l, 801 Nylon Blvd. Seaford DE 19973.

The arrangements are being handled by the CRANSTON FUNERAL HOME, Seaford.



[published 10/12/2009]