Rev. Robert Eugene Moales
The Rev. Robert Eugene Moales, 86, a retired Elder, died Feb. 24, 2017. The Rev. Patrick Ricker officiated at the funeral service March 1 at John Wesley UMC in Hagerstown.
Robert Eugene Moales was born Sept. 21, 1930, in Charleston, W. Va., the son of the late Homer B. Moales and Eula M. (Sovine) Moales.
He served in the Army 1952-1953 during the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star, CIB and three Battle Stars.
Moales received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) in Charleston, W. Va., and a Master’s of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. In 1958, he was ordained a Deacon in the West Virginia Conference, followed by ordination as an Elder in1961, in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
Moales served a church in West Virginia Conference, then many in the Baltimore-Washington Conference and its predecessor Baltimore Conference. From 1959-62, he served the five-point Bunker Hill Charge in Berkeley County, W.Va.; from 1962-69, Grace UMC in Cumberland; 1969-76, Clinton UMC; 1976-80, Grace in Aberdeen; followed in 1980-83 by Trinity UMC in Annapolis. He was next appointed to University UMC in College Park, 1983-87; and Perry Hall UMC, 1987- 1993, when he retired.
His ministerial services were not yet over. He served as an Interim pastor at Williamsport UMC, Cherry Run UMC and Francis Asbury UMC in Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
Moales served in various positions in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, including District Secretary of TRAFCO, District Missionary Secretary, District Board of Building and Location, member of Annapolis Pastoral Counseling Committee, President of Conference Board of Missions, member of Conference Board of Ministerial Relations, Conference Council on Ministries, and Conference Family Life Committee. During various appointments, he was also a past member of Ruritan, Lions and Rotary clubs and a member of the American Legion.
Moales had various interests which included sports, travel and walking. He served as Chaplain for the OR waiting room at Washington County Hospital for 10 years.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Norma Jean Moales; three daughters, Kathy Kelsey, Susan Norris-Bullock and Julie Byrd; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to: Norma Jean Moales, 1534 Kensington Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742-8037.
Memorial contributions may be made to John Wesley United Methodist Church, 129 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD 21740; or University of Charleston, 2300 MacCorkle Ave. SE, Charleston, WV 25304.