Roger K. Moore, 72, of Kansas City, died Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at North Kansas City Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Roger had been in declining health for a number of years following a spinal cord injury. There is little doubt among those who knew and loved him that his presence among us made the world a happier, more accepting and much more tastefully-appointed place. He was a consummate and highly sought-after gift wrapper who was often inflicted with an insatiable lust for ribbon of all kinds, shapes, sizes and colors. He was kind, funny, loyal and generous beyond measure. He had a gift for making friends and for making everyone who met him know how special they were to him. Because of that gift, he leaves behind a broad network of family and friends, and a shih tzu named Cromwell, who all feel lost without him. A dogged city hall reporter for The Kansas City Star in the 1970s, Roger also leaves behind a host of chagrined bureaucrats and politicians, stung by his revelations about misspent tax dollars and misdirected priorities. Born in Atchison, Kan., Roger grew up in Kansas City, graduated from North Kansas City High School, and attended Southwest Missouri State in Springfield. In the late 1960s, he left a higher-paying job to follow his passion, becoming a self-taught, highly successful journalist. In that role, he also became an inspiring leader and an incomparable boss. As an editor at The Star, Roger directed an explosive investigation in the wake of the 1981 Hyatt Regency walkway collapse. He and his reporters found incompetence and mismanagement that resulted in the firing of safety inspectors and the removal of senior managers. Their work resulted in The Star being honored with several national journalism awards. Roger was later named Metro Editor of The Hartford (CT) Courant where he re-aligned statewide coverage and oversaw several hard-hitting statewide investigations into unsafe bridges and other critical issues. He moved to upstate New York in 1986 where he ran the editorial operations of TVData, a division of Scripps Howard Newspapers. Roger left the company in 2001 for semi- retirement. He did freelance writing and started a business to help retirees downsize tastefully as they moved to senior living communities. Roger reveled in his life and beautiful home in Saratoga Springs, NY, acquiring many new friends during his time there. He was especially proud of the gardens he created and would offer a tour to anyone who passed his house. He returned to Kansas City in 2009 to be closer to family and renew long-time friendships here. In addition to his work life, Roger opened his heart to many causes. One especially close to his heart was his work in hospice care for those afflicted by AIDS. Roger leaves brother, Stephen Moore and wife Carmen of Dawson, Minn.; cherished nieces, Robin Moore of Montevideo, Minn., and Amber Moore and daughter Finley of Minneapolis, Minn.; nephew, Luke Moore and wife Jill and children of Grand Rapids, Mich., an aunt, Marjorie Weddle of St. Joseph, Mo., beloved cousins, and a long list friends, old and new. His family and friends would like to thank the doctors and especially the nurses, technicians and therapists of North Kansas City Hospital for the excellent care he received during his recent illness. Their care and compassion made a difficult time much easier on both Roger and those who loved him. As he did throughout his life, Roger found friends among those who cared for him and that brought light to his life as he struggled through his last days. Roger will be cremated. The family will host a memorial celebration at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Faubion Methodist Church, 7113 N. Troost, Gladstone, Mo. Food will be served afterwards and, as Rog would insist, there will be ice cream. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Salvation Army.

Published in Kansas City Star on May 27, 2016