Martin L Moody

Martin Luther Moody, a long time resident of Boulder, Colorado and a retired professor of civil engineering at CU, passed away on September 30th in Boulder. He was 88 years old. He spent his later years at Frasier Meadows Retirement Community where he had many friends. The hula class in Assisted Living was one of his favorite activities.

Martin was born and raised in Texas. In his youth he sold the Saturday Evening Post and shined shoes for a nickel in front of the Alamo. Near the end of World War II, he served on a Navy gunboat (a LCIG) that was part of the fleet build-up for the invasion of Japan. The war ended while they were en route.

Post-war, he continued his civil engineering studies and married his sweetheart Lorraine. In 1951 the couple moved to Boulder where Martin worked as Field Engineer and Chief Inspector for the construction of Gross Dam.

The University of Colorado engineering department hired him in 1955. Concurrently working and studying, he completed his doctoral degree at Stanford by 1965. His 30 year career with the university included work at the Boulder and Denver campuses, in various teaching and administrative positions.

Martin’s initial retirement years involved caring for grandchildren, home improvement projects, and volunteer work. He also cared for Lorraine while she undertook treatment for cancer. She preceded him in death in 1995. Two years later he married Alice O’Donnell. She preceded him in death in 2011. His latest sweetheart was Margherita Fidao.

Martin is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and their families, all of whom he cherished: Daughter Merri Moody of Boulder; grandchildren Paul Hammel, Evan (and Kristin) Hammel, and Sandi Hammel; daughter Peggy McCarthy and son-in-law Mike McCarthy of Longmont; granddaughter Megan McCarthy; son Thomas Moody and daughter-in-law Cindy Moody of Penrose; grandsons Jason, Matthew, and Michael Moody; daughter Joyce Clemenger and son-in-law Keith Clemenger of Beijing, China, grandchildren Stephen and Anne Clemenger. Great grandchildren, Sylas, Zoe, Ryan, and Lilli brought a smile to Martin’s face. Martin is also survived by his brother DeWitt Moody of Florida. Martin is remembered as a committed, loving father and grandfather.