University of Tennessee Athletics
Former Vol, Asst. AD, Gene Moeller, Dies at 70
April 19, 2002 | Football
The family will receive friends Monday night, April 22, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike in West Knoxville (865) 588-8578.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, April 23, at 10 a.m., at Church Street
United Methodist Church, 900 Henley Street in downtown Knoxville,
(865) 524-3048. Graveside services will at 1:30 p.m. at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery,
5901 Lyons View Pike at Northshore, also in West Knoxville, (865) 594-6776.
Memorials may be made to the Susan Lynn Moeller Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Tennessee College of Nursing, 1200 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville TN 37996.
April 19, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gene Louis Moeller, who followed up a distinguished military career with equally-distinguished service to the University of Tennessee Athletic Department since 1976, died today at Park West Regional Medical Center in Knoxville after suffering a stroke at his home Thursday night. He was 70 (born July 9, 1931).
"Gene Moeller served the United States of America and the University of Tennessee well during his life," Athletics Director Doug Dickey said. "He was an 'organization man' in the best sense of that word and always looked out for what was best for whatever organization where he worked. I have lost a great friend, one who was a valuable part of the organization, discipline and hospitality of the Athletics Department."
A native of Davenport, Iowa, Moeller played linebacker during his time at Tennessee, lettering in 1951 and 1952, and was a member of the 1951 National Championship team under Gen. Robert R. Neyland.
"How do you talk about somebody you've known for more than 50 years?" teammate and fellow UT employee Bob Davis said. "He was a great friend and teammate. We shared an office for a while when he came to the Athletics Department and there are a bunch of good memories. The players from the early 1950s are a special group and we have lost another one of our own."
Likewise for teammate Pat Shires. "I met Gene when I was 17 years old," Shires said. "We roomed together as freshmen. I remember going every summer to Davenport and being with his family. I kept up with all his military life and have been close to his family and him since he returned."
Moeller served the Athletics Department in a number of capacities, joining UTAD in July 1976 as Director of Academic Counseling. He then served as an Administrative Assistant to Athletics Director Bob Woodruff, until being named Assistant Athletic Director for Operations in 1986. Before joining the Athletics Department, he was an Associate Professor of Military Science in the UT Army ROTC program. He earned his bachelor's degree in education from UT in 1954 and held master's degrees in Education (1970) and Counseling and Education (1971) from Troy State University.
Moeller retired from the United States Army in 1975 as a Lieutenant Colonel. As an Army officer, he served tours of duty in Germany, Japan and Korea and in the Vietnam War. During his time in the service, he received the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Service Medal and Meritorious Unit Citation.
Moeller was treasurer of the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame and coordinated the yearly trip to New York City for the Foundation's Awards Banquet each December.
"When I became president of the East Tennessee Chapter, Gene Moeller was there every step of the way helping me along," Dick Williams, president of the East Tennessee Chapter, said. "He was a true team player in every sense of the word, working to ensure that the Chapter was a leader nationally and highly-regarded by all those associated with the Hall of Fame."
Moeller is survived by his wife, Betty, two children, Mike and Cathy Moeller, and Diane Conner, and six grandchildren, Casey, Morgan, Kendall and Luke Moeller, and Brook and Steven Conner, all of Knoxville.
