Warren Lodowick Moorman Jr.

Warren Lodowick Moorman, Jr., MD, 95, of Salem, died October 8, 2014, attended by his family following an active, full, loving life. Born in Salem, Va. to Bunah LeFew and Warren L. Moorman, Sr., Warren graduated from Salem public schools (1936), Roanoke College (1940), and the Medical College of Virginia (1943). He served an internship at Sibley Hospital, a year of pathology residency and a general surgery residency at Doctors Hospital in Washington, D.C. From 1945-47, he was Captain in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army in Japan. He was Board certified by the American Board of General Surgery and the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He began his years of medical service in the Roanoke Valley as a staff surgeon at the VA Hospital in Salem, Va. (1950-55). After training in plastic surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., in 1957 he joined the staff of Lewis-Gale Hospital and Clinic in downtown Roanoke, where he established the Department of Plastic Surgery. For years he drove weekly to Clifton Forge to treat C&0 Railroad patients. Dr. Moormans dedication to medicine extended to leadership roles during decades of change in medicine and growth of Lewis-Gale. He was instrumental in the move of the medical center to Salem and the growth of the clinic. He spearheaded the creation of a medical museum and educational foundation which has become Health Focus of Southwest Virginia. He was president of the Lewis-Gale Clinic and Chief of Staff of the hospital. Warren wrote the History of Lewis-Gale Medical Center and in 1993 helped with its update. Dr. Moorman served as President of the Board of Blue Shield of Southwest Virginia and was on its board for many years; Secretary of the Virginia Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; Trustee of the American Group Practice Association; and a member of the American Association of Medical Clinics accreditation team. He served as first director of the burn unit at a hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Most importantly, he loved practicing medicine and thrived in relationship with colleagues and patients. Warren was deeply involved in the community life of the Roanoke Valley. He was one of the original Save Old Salem committee members which evolved into the Salem Historical Society and Museum. He served the organization in many capacities over the years, including many hours of physical labor and he personally salvaged from the wrecking ball the Docents Desk that greets museum visitors. He was honored to receive its James Simpson Award. In 1976, Dr. Moorman served on the Roanoke Valley Bicentennial Commission and in 2005 the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation honored him with a Lifetime Achievement award as a medical historian and preservationist. He enjoyed researching and speaking on local history and published several articles. His community leadership included serving on the boards of Virginia Western Community College and McVitty Retirement (now Richfield); supporting the development of the Roanoke Unitarian Universalist Church, and the creation of the Virginia Inland Sailing Association. He was honored with the Roanoke College Charles Brown Distinguish Alumni Award; the Paul Harris Fellow Award of Rotary International; Salem Rotarys Citizen of the Year; and Salem Educational Foundations Salem Alumni Hall of Fame. Raised in the Methodist church, he proudly supported his wifes lifelong involvement with the United Methodist Church. He was also involved in Franklin County, preserving and restoring his grandfathers homeplace, an historical site in Franklin County and providing crucial early support to Trinity Ecumenical Church at Smith Mountain Lake. Warrens intellectual curiosity was wide ranging with a particular focus on history and religion. As a collector, he enjoyed finding antique radios, early medical equipment, and rare books or any book. He had almost every issue of National Geographic Magazine from the time it began publication. Fascination about the world led to extensive U.S. and international travel, including medical experiences in Haiti and Saudi Arabia. Creative and productive, he had fun building, including building several boats, an amateur radio station, a cave and log cabin for his children and their friends, a library room for his home, and many other useful projects. He was also a talented photographer. A love of sailing led to many days at Smith Mountain Lake on his boat Indulgence, sailing the North Sea, following the Americas Cup races, and trips on the Chesapeake with Salem sailing friends. Elizabeth Betty Churchill Peters, his wife of 49 years, predeceased him in February 1999. He is survived by their five children: Virginia LeFew Moorman Gotlieb (Larry) of Los Angeles, CA; Elizabeth Ann Moorman Kendrick (Stephen) of Boston MA; Grace Warren Moorman, Warren Lodowick Moorman, III, and Sarah Gordon Moorman of Salem, VA; and six grandchildren: Shana Elizabeth Gotlieb, of NYC; Kenneth Harrison Gotlieb of Berkeley, CA; Rebecca Jane Moorman Gotlieb of Los Angeles, CA; Paul Calvert Kendrick, of Washington, DC; Anna Kathryn Kendrick of Cambridge, England; and Elizabeth Stirling Kendrick of Amherst, MA. An only child, Warren embraced the large family of his wife and thoroughly enjoyed his nieces and nephews throughout his life. His love of family was expansive and came to include exchange student daughters from Greece and Switzerland. His humor, affection, attention, playfulness, and strength made all feel special. Recently he advised Live life to the fullest. The family thanks all those who have been so helpful to him in his last years, allowing him to live as fully as possible at home. A period of visitation will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2014 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Colket Center banquet room of Roanoke College at 305 Campus Lane in Salem. A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 11 a.m. in Antrim Chapel of Roanoke College at 240 High Street in Salem. Interment will be private. For those who wish to honor his memory, the contribution of time and energy to organizations that support the people and quality of life in the Roanoke Valley is encouraged. If you wish to make a contribution in his honor, organizations that were especially meaningful to him include the Salem Museum and Historical Society, Health Focus of Southwest Virginia, and the Bradley Free Clinic. An online guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com. The Moorman family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home and Crematory in Salem, 540-389-5441.Visitation

Sunday, October 26th, 2014 2:00pm - 4:00pm,

Roanoke College Colket Center Banquet Room

305 Campus Lane Salem, Virginia 24153

Service Information

Monday, October 27th, 2014 11:00am,

Roanoke College Antrim Chapel

240 High Street Salem, Virginia 24153

Interment Location

East Hill Cemetery

East Main Street Salem, VA