The story
Dr. Robert James Moulton of Bahama, NC passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015. He passed peacefully at the age of 74, in the company of his loving family. He was born in Trenary, Michigan in 1940.
Bob was a First Lieutenant in the US Army, had a Masters in Forest Management from Syracuse University, and a PhD in Land Management Economics from Michigan State University. He worked for the United States Forest Service for over 30 years. Bob made significant published research contributions on the subjects of reforestation, global climate change, and carbon sequestration. He was passionate about his work and was known for using the simple tagline “Trees are the Answer.”
The blessing to work in a field he loved stemmed from the love of nature and the outdoors that was at the core of who he was outside of his career. To remember Bob in many happy moments is to remember him tending to his rose garden, small orchard or fish pond; or hiking in the woods with his Labrador, Parker; or fishing on Lake Anna or Chincoteague Sound with his family; or fishing tiny streams with his son-in-law. To remember Bob in many of his most deeply satisfying moments is to remember him relaxed among the family he loved and cared for so dearly.
Bob was preceded in death by parents James and Helmi Moulton. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bernita Biebesheimer Moulton; his children, Brian Moulton, Kimberly (John) McManus and Katrina (Chris) Goodman, his sister, Joyce Verma and granddaughters; Avery, Evelyn, Abby and Jane.
Memory wall
25 tributes have been left in memory of Robert Moulton.
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Passing away so quickly has left a huge void in our hearts and lives. We love and miss him everyday.
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Bob was my uncle, and I have very fond memories of him from my childhood. He communicated very well with children, and made us feel important by having interesting “adult conversations” with us. I remember how Uncle Bob and my sister Deb would playfully tease each other, saying essentially “My dogs are better than your dogs”, and he teased me by saying that the Adirondack Mountains were just hills and weren't real mountains. I recall being quite impressed and amused when he told us that when he was a kid, his arm muscles were so large that he ripped his shirts when flexing his muscles! Later, when I was living on my own with my first real job at Brookhaven Laboratory, and Bob happened to be visiting NY City, he spoke to me on the phone and asked whether Brookhaven Lab was visible from NY City “among the stacks”, and he told me some interesting tidbits about his stay there in the Big Apple. His sense of adventure, youthful spirit, and excellent oral communication skills were evident in all the conversations I have had with him. I truly appreciate his character and will always cherish the fond memories I have of him.
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I first met Bob at a neighborhood block party in the Summer of 2000. Our shared love of dogs, hunting, and the outdoors provided a strong foundation for our friendship. Since Bob was recently retired and had a lot of times on his hands, I took him under my wing. I helped him train his dog Parker and he enjoyed watching my dogs work. We shivered through many November mornings on the opening day of deer season together or sweated out in the September sun in the dove fields of NC. I had the privilege of dragging Bob's last deer out of the woods, because as Bob explained it "that's what the younger guys do." Bob was our neighbor when our daughter was born and my wife Jen and I got to see Bob and Bernita become grandparents. We spent many evenings at the others' home having dinner and playing cards (Hearts and Kentucky Rummy, which Bob affectionately referred to as "brain dead") and we vacationed at the beach together. When I think of Bob I smile because we always seemed to enjoy each other's company and we almost always had fun (except for the time we cut down a pine tree in his front yard and almost dropped it on the house---with Bernita inside!) I remember Bob as a loving husband, doting father and grandfather, intellect, and true outdoorsman. Our times together were filled with hi jinx---too much to list here---and I will miss him. It doesn't seem real that he is gone. I will miss being able to drop by his house from time to time to see if I could get him riled. Or to go over his house for Bernita's pastees for dinner. Or to make it by their house as our last stop as we always did on Halloween night. Bob and Bernita were a big part of our lives as neighbors and I am sad those times are over. I believe Bob made an impact on my life and I hope I was able to touch his life too. I will think of Bob when I venture out into the woods. I think of him when I ride by his old house. And though Bob is gone, there are enough truly great memories of him and reminders of him here in the neighborhood that I will never forget him. Rest in peace "Little Bobbie".
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My sister wanted this to be posted. Lovingly memorialized by Mary Alice Brocke-Huntley on April 24, 2015 Bob, the man who married my little sister provided well for her. With his service to the U.S. Army and to the U.S. Forest Service, they moved many times, each time their home was an upgrade. His ability and knowledge of landscaping and nurturing plants and shrubs made their many yards more attractive. Fishing and hunting were important to him. He welcomed the challenge of improving his equipment and technique to have better \\"luck\\". For the 52 years of being a companion to my sister , I thank you, Bob. Rest in Peace, brother. Mary A. Brocke-Huntley Visit Memorial
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Bob was my father in law and my friend. I loved him and I will miss him. Many of my fondest memories of Bob will be from fishing with him on the tiny creeks around Bahama, NC (where we really discovered the annual white bass spawning run on a little tributary of the Eno River, before the masses), or on several North and South Carolina lakes where he joined my side of the family for our annual men’s fishing trip. What I loved about fishing with Bob was that we both appreciated and shared the full experience… the water, the wildlife, the plant life, the wonder of the fish - big and small alike - and the endless hope for just one more cast (Remember that toast you made at our wedding, Bob?). Fishing, knot-tying, and long conversations at the kitchen table, about everything from nature to science to politics and sports, were my one-to-one moments with Bob. But, of course, he was much more to me and my family… a father, a grandfather, and a guardian. Thank you, Bob, for everything you shared and gave. Rest in peace. John
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Our neighbors Carolyn and Ralph Cooper wanted to post this message: Bob was the kind of man you would want as a neighbor. He generously shared his hunting bounty with us, which we enjoyed thoroughly. We miss seeing him on his riding mower. towing his lawn mower contraption behind. He kept his yard beautiful-all the time. Bob, may you rest in peace....
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Bernita and family, I wish Forrest and I could have known Bob, as it seems we had a lot in common. I know our love for Bernita was one thing we shared. May God bless you and bring you peace. Monica & Forrest Evans
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I love and miss you Dad
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We miss you Dad. Not a day goes by that we don't think of you. Love you - Katrina, Chris, Avery & Abby
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I found Bob to be funny and engaging, and he told such wonderful stories about growing up in Michigan. He was interested in so many subjects, and was always willing to share information, whether it be about trees, gardening, birds or astronomy. I know he was extremely intelligent, because he picked Bernita for a wife. That not only showed intelligence, but good taste. I hope Bernita and Bob's family will take solace in the fact that they were lucky and blessed to have Bob in their lives. He will be greatly missed, but he will live on in their special memories of him.
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I had the pleasure of going on a number of fishing trips with Bob. He enjoyed the give and take among the men in our family and never shied away from a friendly debate. I was always impressed by his love and his knowledge of the natural world. He had an easy laugh and was a good sport when we teased him about drinking his cheap beer. One of my favorite memories about Bob was when my brothers and I crammed sinkers into the mouth of a dead fish to win a bet with Bob over how much it weighed. When the fish fell onto the counter and the sinkers ran out, he laughed and accused us of having criminal tendencies. Bob will be missed, especially on next year's trip. John will have to bring Bernita's Sloppy Joe's. Rest in peace, Bob. Prayers and love to the family. Gary McManus
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A candle was lit in memory.
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I am grateful for the inclusion I had with the Moulton family as a teenager. Whether it was a trip to Chincoteague or just sitting in front of the wood burning stove, I always felt welcome. Bob was always eager to share experiences, and I thoroughly enjoyed the details of his many hunting and fishing trips across the country. He was always willing to teach his many skills with amazing patience. Bob will be missed.
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This photo was sent from a hunting friend in Cadillac. Thanks we appreciate it.
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What better day to honor and remember Bob than Earth Day! I didn't know him well, but I always found him to be a very kind and funny person. He gave my rose bushes life when I wasn't able to and enjoyed the weed-eating goats--his love of nature was obvious. When Bob and Bernita celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, I told them they were an inspiration to the rest of us. He will be missed greatly.
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Dad, I'm glad I was able to have the opportunity to be there before you left us, and that you knew we were there. I love you and your presence and voice still echo in my heart and mind. When I was a child you were the fastest, strongest and smartest person I knew. When I was a teen, you were the authoritarian, the taskmaster, and the teacher. When I was a young man, you were a guide, a counsel, and the one I conflicted with the most. Now that I am a grown man you were my friend, sounding board, and adviser. Despite our many disagreements, and conflicts, your goal for my sisters and me was for us to grow up be strong, capable and happy. While expressing your squishier feelings like love and pride as a father verbally was never your strongest trait, it was felt and known but the depth of your care and concern for your family was clear to all. One thing that we agreed on for certain…When you leave a room “Turn off the damn light!” I love and miss you Pops, and I’ll do my best to keep you exasperated and shaking your head at me and my “idiotic genius” act. Until we meet again.
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Here are some pictures of Bob and the family. This one of us was taken in December of 1959. It is so sad that he has passed way. He has touched everyone's hearts and lives through us.
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