It’s a fitting — and tasty — tribute.
Clark College’s former public relations director Bob Moser, who died in December at 82, will be honored Saturday during the men’s basketball game at the school, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way.
Moser’s love of Clark College sports was well known, said college President Bob Knight. So was his appetite for concession stand popcorn.
As a nod to Moser’s snack of choice, popcorn will be free during halftime on “Bob Moser Night.”
“I thought it would be appropriate since he was such an avid sports fan,” Knight said. “And he loved popcorn.”
A few days before Moser died, Knight spotted him leaving early from a preseason Penguins basketball game. Moser was heading home because there wasn’t any popcorn to munch on.
“He always had popcorn,” said Moser’s wife, Mary Lou.
At Saturday’s 5 p.m. game, Knight plans to present Mary Lou with a basketball signed by both the men’s and women’s teams. Knight will also share a few kind words about the devoted spokesman and community advocate. Moser retired from Clark in 1992 after 32 years.
Moser’s legacy is not contained to Clark College. Beside serving the college, Moser was a Port of Vancouver commissioner for 18 years. He also founded the Fort Vancouver Seafarers Center’s International Festival at Esther Short Park.
Since Moser died, Mary Lou said she has been struck by how many lives her husband touched.
“The outpouring of love from this community since his death has been amazing,” Mary Lou said.
Mary Lou said the popcorn- and basketball-themed tribute is a perfect salute, especially considering he holds the record for attending the most Clark College basketball games of anyone in history. Moser was a fixture in the bleachers for five decades.
“The chances of anyone surpassing his record would be pretty slim,” Mary Lou said.
At one point, there was even a popcorn size named after him, Knight said. There was small, medium and Bob Moser.
Even after he retired, Moser could often be seen at campus functions, not just sporting events. Knight said Moser cared so deeply about the school he continued to share his strong opinions about its direction late into his life.
“He was always very supportive and never forgot about the college,” Knight said.
Though Knight came to Clark more than a decade after Moser left, the former administrator’s spirit continued to reverberate through the college.
“Bob Moser was an icon,” Knight said.
Working at Clark College was more than a job for her husband, said Mary Lou. It was a joy.
“He was a dynamic person with great enthusiasm. He loved every minute of it, he really did,” she said.
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