From: Chuck Wilt, retired director of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department
The Villages, Florida
Dudley Moore, who passed away recently, was a good friend and mentor.
He was well known in the Columbus sports scene for his competitiveness and great skills in volleyball, tennis, softball and basketball.
I was fortunate to have met him as an Indiana University intern in 1964 and worked under his guidance for a semester.
Dudley was Manager of Employee Services for Cummins Engine Company at the time. It was a great experience and Dudley laid the foundation for my successful career in parks and recreation. He showed me what it means to be a good supervisor. He gave me meaningful assignments and encouraged me when I did well and helped me learn from my mistakes.
When I finished the internship I came away with a lot of self-confidence. I also knew that I had gained a great friend and mentor.
After graduation in 1965, and working in Ohio for four years in municipal parks and recreation, Dudley never forgot me.
He brought me back to Columbus to become the Recreation Director at Cummins to manage Ceraland in 1969.
This ultimately gave me the opportunity to become the Columbus Director of Parks and Recreation in 1977 for the next 33 years.
Since 1977 my relationship with Dudley included his support of the many parks and recreation sports activities he participated in successfully. He was a great role model for amateur level athletes in the community and for me.
He was honored with the first annual Jack Cramer Ideals of Athletic Competition Award in 1978 for his competitiveness, fair play and sportsmanship.
As the years passed by Dudley and I grew in our friendship.
He enjoyed having lunch with me and his old buddies. I would organize these lunches and just sit there, listen and laugh with them as they talked about the past.
I felt honored to be considered one of Dudley’s buddies.
Dudley had a strong faith and was a brother in Christ. I will miss him but know someday I will see him again in Heaven.
My prayers go out to his wife Marie and his family for God’s comfort and peace.
