L. Howard Moss III, Ph. D., passed away March 24, 2011, following a long illness. He was 77.
A native of New York, he also lived for extended periods in Tennessee, Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida.
Dr. Moss received his academic degrees at the University of Tennessee and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. After a teaching career in medical schools, he established the first independent full-service diagnostic virology laboratory in the country.
He also served in the armed forces as a naval aviator, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rebecca Moss of Florida; daughter Kristin Moss, her husband Bob King, and grandson August Moss King of California; and daughter Susan Moss and husband David Herman of Ohio.

No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

Betty Grace

May 7, 2011

Dear Rebecca, Kristin and Susan,
I have thought of you all and Howard in recent years with affection and concern. I hoped that Howard’s increasing debility wasn’t causing him frustration and pain, and you heartbreak. I was saddened to hear of his death, in spite of whatever suffering accompanied his illness, because he was a good man and you have been a close family. As such, it seemed good that he was still in the world with you.
At the Toledo Medical College, I worked for Dickson Depommier (Sp?) between my junior and senior years in high school. When that session was over, Howard asked me if I would be interested in working in his lab. I washed a lot of glassware, maintained some active virus strains and did some filing and Xeroxing. I also handled paperwork in his efforts to contact individuals for his information that would advance his research. All this comes back to me now.
Howard had made a good impression on me from the first time I’d met him. He was cheerful, conversational. He asked questions with a sincere interest and listened intently. From the first acquaintance, he’d struck me as urbane, somewhat debonair: intelligent, well-educated, having a lively interest in a broad range of subjects and pursuits. But it didn’t seem I knew him as an individual for long; for soon after I stated working in his lab, he asked whether or not I would be interested in babysitting his children. He’d flattered me by alluding to his wife, who, he said, until that time, was pretty cautious against leaving the girls with just anyone.
And so, from early on, it was all of you whom I would come to know. And though our ways parted, and though there had been differences in ages, and stages of life, our worlds converged and you all became significant to me.
Rebecca, I appreciated that you and Howard both did much to encourage whatever track I might have taken toward medical school.
To all three of you, you and Howard been a pleasure to know over the years, near and far. I will continue to look forward to our contacts, with hopes that we can see one another again.
I will remember the way Howard tipped his head slightly, as he listened. He was a good boss and mentor: even-tempered, affable, encouraging. I can only visualize his face smiling or looking inquisitive, but almost always—smiling.
I hope that words from family and friends will comfort you and convey the warm regard and respect we have had for Howard.
Jim and I extend our sincere sympathy at this time. And I hold you in my thoughts.
Betty
Rebecca, not so long ago, you wrote that you were happy to see Kristin, Susan, and me each embark upon what looked like happy and well grounded marriages. You really were still a very young woman when I’d met you. In one conversation you lightly noted that on your 25th birthday, Howard greeted you asking:, “How does it feel to be a quarter century old?”, and that hadn’t happened so long before you recounted the story. Your and Howard’s marriage was an example to us all. We’ve all gained from its having a place in our lives.

Jack and Ana Traywick

MEMORIES OF HOWARD MOSS

We have so many fond memories of Howie when he and Rebecca were our neighbors on Creekwood Drive. Howie was a kind and gentle spirit with a deep appreciation of friends and Mother Nature. He seemed to really enjoyed living in the peaceful country-style environment of Fearrington Village, NC. Later, when he and Rebecca moved to Sanibel Island, Fl., we went to visit them. We still have beautiful photographs from that memorable visit.

He was a wonderful craftsman. We remember how diligently he worked on a table and trunk for Kristen and Susan. Both the table and trunk were pieces of art! Another time, while Jack was building a workshop from collected used materials, Howie came numerous afternoons and helped him with the measuring, sawing, hammering and putting in the ceiling, windows and door. Later Rebecca would drop by and the four of us would eat pineapple (that he and Ana loved) or watermelon (that Rebecca and Jack preferred) on our screened-in porch.

Howie enjoyed reminiscing about his flying experiences. Once Ana loaned him a a copy of Lindberg's The Spirit of St Louis. He thoroughly relished reading it and discussing it afterwards. He was also very fond of travelling. He told us all about the trip across the country that he and Rebecca took in their VW van. Also, their trip to France was a pleasurable experience for him.

Howie was a talented artist. We still treasure a beautiful painting he did for us of three large seashells.

It was certainly a privilege to have known him and to have been his friends.

Jack and Ana Traywick

Lynne Maples

Last week Colleen sent me a copy of Howard’s Memorial. It really made me sad, but I also saw a lot of memories which made me smile. It was wonderful. Susan suggested that I send something about my trip to New York with Howard years ago, so I’ll do my best to share this:

When I graduated from High School Howard & Rebecca took to New York City as a gift. We stayed with Howard’s parents and one night we went to a Japanese restaurant with his grandmother. My first time in meeting the family I watched television and liked the game shows, so they took me downtown and went to NBC. There was a program called “Say When!” We sat in the audience and they picked Howard as a contestant—what a thrill! We had to go back home so that Howard could put on a suit, went back to the studio for the taping, and he won the first contest—including a boat—he named “Say When”. Sorry to say, he lost the second contest.

I have had many wonderful memories with Howard, Rebecca, and family and I’ll treasure them always.

Steve Cyester

Oh, Rebecca, this is just the most heartbreaking news. I am so incredibly sorry for Howard, such a dear soul. It's the strangest feeling to think that I'll never have contact with him again...no more letters, not a rare phone conversation, nothing from here on...just memories. Ah, but SUCH wonderful memories.
Howard and I met at a men’s club in August 1989. His first words to me were, "You're about to have the most meaningful experience of your entire life--you're about to discover who you really are." Wow! Just think of the power contained in those words. Probably no other words of that nature have run through my head with such force, with such impact since that day. I will keep the last few letters received from Howard for the rest of my life. I will never, NEVER forget his kindness and generosity toward me. Nor will I forget what he taught me and how he influenced and changed my life.
One of my best memories of Howard happened New Year’s Eve, 1989. He and I ran in the “Run into the New Year,” a 10K race in Beavercreek, Ohio that took place at midnight when the temperature was 2 degrees!
Rebecca, I know you know how special he was. I can only imagine how REALLY special he must be to you and his beloved daughters. Speaking for the men I know who knew Howard, he is held in the highest esteem and is widely loved and thought about and cared for. I'll miss that gentle humorous kind man. Know that I will carry your dear Howard in my heart all of my days. He occupies a very special place there and always will.
I hope to remain in touch with you and your family. If there is ever anything I can do, anything at all, I stand ready to answer your call.

Love & peace,
Steve Cyester

Rick Parker

I first met Howard and Rebecca in September of 2005 when Rebecca asked me for an estimate on rebuilding the pool deck on their home. We went on to build the deck, as well as many other jobs, which gave me an opportunity to get to know Howard and spend a little time with him. He almost always greeted my arrival with a firm handshake and frequently introduced himself as well. Most of the time he would say, "Rick, I haven't seen you in such a long time!" Either way I was always glad to see him as he had such a sweet, gentle spirit about him. Sometimes I would ask him if he wanted to help and he was always ready to try. Much of the time he would be sitting at the table rapidly putting together complicated jigsaw puzzles. If I had time I'd sit with him a few minutes and try to help but I couldn't compete with his skill and determination. Even then he could pick out the right piece for the spot he needed while I couldn't see it even after he showed it to me!
While I never knew Howard when he wasn't sick I can, like Sherlock Holmes, deduce what kind of person he was from his family, his home and especially the woman he chose to marry. His attainments speak for themselves, I wish I could have known him before his illness

Jim and Betty Felder

Dr Howard, as many of us who worked in Clinical Microbiology called him(although he insisted that we call him HOWARD) was indeed a trail blazer,knowledgeable about a variety of things, genial, honest and a good friend.

 

He saw a need for a diagnostic service that would help physicians in their treatment of suspected viral diseases, and with equally talented wife Dr. Rebecca opened one of the first Diagnostic Virology laboratories in the country, and indeed his was the First independent laboratory. The opening of his laboratory helped physicians, microbiologists and other health care professionals improve patient care especially when viruses were suspected to be the causative agents of the disease process.

 

His friendly attitude carried over to his employees including his daughters Kristin and Susan. I came into contact with them and others as they did their part as couriers for the laboratory.

 

My wife Betty and I had the opportunity to visit Howard and Rebecca at their retirement home in North Carolina where we experienced their warm and gracious hospitality.

 

No man had a better friend than HOWARD.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim