Bob Moser, who served as Clark College’s director of public relations for 30 years, died Sunday. He was 82.
Moser also served as a Port of Vancouver commissioner for 18 years.
He was well-known in Clark County in many circles.
At Clark, he worked with the alumni association to build the iconic chime tower on the Vancouver campus.
He ran for port commissioner in 1987 and won with more than 64 percent of the vote. He served two additional 6-year terms, retiring from the port position in December 2005.
In 1973, he founded the Clark County Track Club, which attracted thousands of runners to Clark County races.
Roger Daniels worked many years with Moser at Clark College.
In a message to The Columbian’s website, Daniels wrote, “He was always positive, upbeat, friendly and courteous to everyone. … He honored Clark’s history and respected those who came before him.”
Port of Vancouver Commissioner Nancy Baker was on the port board with Moser in 2004 and 2005.
“He was great to work with, understood the issues, was very, very interested in the environment,” Baker said.
Asked about Moser’s style, Baker said. “He watched things (at the port) very carefully, made sure that the public was informed. … He didn’t want anything happening without public involvement or public knowledge.”
“I’ve tried to be a community advocate and a port watchdog,” Moser told a Columbian reporter in 2005.
In another aspect of his life, Moser founded the Seafarers Center International Festival at Esther Short Park, and was its master of ceremonies for 35 years.
In February 2006, former Columbian Editor Tom Koenninger wrote about a retirement party for Moser.
“Four Vancouver mayors, Royce Pollard, … Bruce Hagensen, Jim Justin and Bryce Seidl, donated $1,000 for a scholarship to honor Bob,” the late Koenninger wrote.
He ended his column with: “It was a night of love, affection and a few tears for Moser, one of the town’s best role models for community service.”
Moser is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; two sons, Mike and Todd, both of Vancouver; and a daughter, Lori Buntin of Austin, Texas.
Services are pending.
