Richard Mott Moyer – Artist and Educator
Richard ‘Dick’ Moyer, who cultivated a fascination with clay into a passion for artistic expression and arts education, then demonstrated his creativity and commitment in the studio, in classrooms, and in countless workshops at Philadelphia areas schools, art centers, community organizations and events for over forty years, passed peacefully on August 20, 2015. He was 75.
A teenage exposure to slip cast pottery sparked a lifetime of exploration into the use of ceramics in art, and as a vehicle for teaching about processes, material properties, the development & application of tools, and the use of space. Dick’s early interest in ceramics led him from North Penn High School, to the Philadelphia College of Arts, where he graduated with a B.A. in Dimensional Design. While serving his country as a radioman in the U.S. Army, he decided on a life in pursuit of art, volunteered to serve as an Army Crafts Instructor during his off duty hours, and met Karin Munkwitz, his future wife. Returning home after his tour of duty, Dick was encouraged by friends to continue teaching, and attended Temple University where he earned a master’s degree.
Dick taught Ceramics and Industrial Arts at Strawberry Mansion Junior and Senior High School for 32 years. In retirement he taught Ceramics part time at Montgomery County Community College. He was an active member of the Clay Studio of Philadelphia, served as a board member, was Advisor of ‘Read My Clay’ a Philadelphia Youth Arts Show presented by the Free Library of Philadelphia, and participated in numerous art events, shows, and exhibits in the U.S., Japan, and Europe.
Dick is survived by Karin, his wife of 49 years, his son William, daughter Jenny, several siblings, nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday September 12, 2015 at Gwynedd Friends Meeting House, 1101 DeKalb Pike, Gwynedd, PA 19454 (www.gwyneddmeeting.org).
In lieu of Flowers please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association of the Delaware Valley (www.alz.org/delval/).