Lewis Edward “Chip” Moore, III, 55, 30-year veteran rocket engineer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, died Thursday, January 4, 2018 at his residence in Huntsville, Alabama.
A celebration of his life will be conducted Tuesday at 12:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Melinda Britt and Reverend Chip Hunter officiating. Inurnment will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Monday from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorials be made to Russel Hill Cancer Foundation, in memory of Chip Moore, 3601 CCI Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
Born March 29, 1962 in Columbia, Tennessee, he was the son of Lilybel Lewis Moore and the late Dr. Lewis E. Moore, Jr. He was a 1980 graduate of Columbia Central High School, attended Columbia State Community College, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, and his Master’s degree from The Georgia Institute of Technology.
Apart from his day job working with critical parts of the Space Shuttle and hardware bound for the International Space Station, Chip enjoyed backyard astronomy, ice hockey, competitive cycling, and flying his own plane. In his day job with NASA, he earned numerous awards including The Center Director’s Commendation, NASA’s Exceptional Service Award, and the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award.
Chip is survived by his mother, Lil Moore of Columbia; two sisters, Bonnie Rodgers (the late Jim Rodgers) and Melinda (John) Fleming. Never having children, he claimed as his own, his nieces and nephews, Lucy McEwen, Rebecca Witherow, Mica Fleming, and Lucas Fleming.
He will be forever grateful to all of his co-workers at NASA, neighbors and friends, the doctors, nurses, and staff at Clearview Cancer Center in Huntsville and Ben Bayless, his wing man since childhood, all of whom walked every step of the way with him on this final journey.
