Frank N. Moore

FRANK MOORE, 74, of Grabill, died on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at Parkview Hospital, in Fort Wayne. "He was the former president and general manager of WANE-TV, a dedicated community service leader and a devoted husband and father." Born Dec. 1, 1936, in Houlton, Maine, he was the son of Arthur Moore (a minister) and Frances Moore (a music and special education teacher). As a child, he played cello as part of a family string quartet in which his father played the bass, his mother played the viola and his sister, Jane, played the violin. He was a graduate of Cape Elizabeth High School, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, where he was active in sports, children's theatre, the youth symphony orchestra as well as the Civil Air Patrol. It was there where he also fostered his love for communications as he built amateur radios, set up antennas and broadcast from the attic of his parents' small cottage on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. After graduation, he enrolled in Boston University, Boston, Mass., where he received his degree in communications. In 1961, he married Dorothy Pratt of Bridgewater, Mass. He embarked on a more than 40 year career in broadcasting that included stints in New York, Pittsburgh; Cincinnati; Indianapolis; New Haven, Conn.; Miami; Traverse City, Mich.; and Fort Wayne. While the early part of his career was defined by broadcast radio, he had an affinity for television. From 1988 to 2003, he served as president and general manager of WANE-TV, in Fort Wayne. During his tenure, he introduced new innovations to the Fort Wayne market, helped build a talented team and strengthened the local news product. In addition to focusing on the television station, he also poured his energy into community service. He was very active in a number of community groups, including the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, The League for the Blind and Disabled, Fort Wayne Rotary Club, Public Broadcast Service board, among others. "As the son of a minister and a school teacher, dad grew up in a home that was caring and compassionate," said Kimberly, his daughter. "He cared tremendously for other people and impacted the lives of many." In August of 1991, he was awarded the "Sagamore of the Wabash" by then Gov. Evan Bayh for his role in relaying information out of Iraqi-controlled Kuwait during the early days of the invasion. He was part of a small group of amateur radio operators around the world that sent daily reports of conditions there, tracked down Kuwaiti citizens for their relatives in the U.S. and provided Iraqi military movements. After the war, he would travel to Kuwait twice to photograph the post-war country. In 2000, he traveled to Comayagua, Honduras on a mission trip with associates from WANE-TV, the Fort Wayne Lions Club and local doctors to help deliver medical care, food, clothing and supplies to the area. He captured his initial trip as well as his return trip in 2001 in a photo essay, which was shown as part of several photo exhibits throughout Fort Wayne. Upon retirement from WANE-TV in 2003, He pursued photography full time and continued to remain active on several community groups. He continued. to enjoy amateur radio, traveling with his wife, Dorothy, and fishing with his oldest son, Scott. He was also an avid Indianapolis Colts fan. Above all, he was deeply devoted to his family. "My father was the most decent and caring man I have ever met," said Scott. "I used him as a touchstone on how best to interact with other people." Surviving are his wife, Dorothy; daughter Kimberly Wolff of Wayland, Mass.; sons, Scott Moore of Fort Wayne and Mark Moore of Cumming, Ga.; sister, Jane Moore of Westbrook, Maine; and six grandchildren. Memorial service is 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at Leo United Methodist Church, 13519 Le0 Road, Leo, followed by a reception. A private burial will take place later in the year in Pittsfield, N.H. Arrangements by Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home of Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The League for the Blind & Disabled, Leo United Methodist Church or Public Broadcasting Service. www.hockemeyermillerfh.com