Bobby Lee Moore
Bobby Lee Moore passed away peacefully on Monday, March 26 after nodding off while reading a book. He was 73 years old and had been in poor health for a while. He had been a resident of the Chapala area since 2002.
Born on August 7, 1944, in Velasco, Texas, Moore grew up in a happy home, which was reflected in a lovable personality throughout his life. He was proud of his mother’s Native American heritage. His father was part of the secret Manhattan Project, so his early years were spent in Tennessee. The family eventually returned to Texas and he spent his formative years there, graduating from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in English and history.
He spent many years with NASA as a technical writer at the height of the agency’s development of the moon landing and shuttle programs, which took him all over the United States. Later, Moore became an independent technical writer, working for Bechtel, Clorox and Chevron, developing operational manuals.
After moving to San Francisco in the late 1980s, he met his longtime partner, William “Bill” Peabody. The couple fully retired and moved to the Lake Chapala area in 2002. Peabody passed away from cancer in 2009 with Moore at his side.
An avid reader, Moore’s favorite genres were suspense thrillers, horror, fantasy, science fiction, mystery and satire. Close friends enjoyed active book trading with him and he was known for picking page-turners. Friends describe him as a “bear,” known not only for his hugs, but for his intelligence, ability to converse on a wide array of topics, wonderful sense of humor and clever storytelling with an astounding ability to embellish, always with a twinkle in his eye. He had dozens of friends in both the Mexican and expat community, all of whom were graced by his buoyant personality and personal interest in their lives.
He is survived by sisters Shirley Brown and Susan Rodriguez, both of Texas; special Bay-area friend Marian Hager and her two daughters, Emily Kuhlmann and Betty Jane Kaufman, both of whom love him so much; very close friends Alberto Lopez of Guadalajara and Charles Stennet from the Chapala area; and many other dear friends too numerous to list, all of whom will miss him greatly. On Holy Saturday, local friends had an informal dinner together to remember Bobby Lee.
Kurt Rodney Vidal
Kurt Rodney Vidal died March 29 from complications due to a motorcycle accident he suffered on March 20 while traveling to Puerto Vallarta.
Vidal was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, April 30, 1958. He lived at lakeside since July 2016 with his wife Brenda. In that short time he made several friends and many acquaintances at the Lake Chapala Society, the Hiking Club and the Kayaking Club. A lover of the outdoors and micro-brewed beer, Vidal could often be seen cruising on his quad bike or motorcycle.
Vidal graduated from S.E. Community College in Lincoln. He worked for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and its successors for his entire career, developing specs for hose designs, materials and fabrication. His job landed him at first in Lincoln, then Detroit and finally Norfolk, Nebraska. As part of his job he was sent around the world, particularly enjoying Germany. It was in Mexico where he first met his current wife, and many years later they met again in China before getting married in September 2012.
Vidal is preceded in death by his mother K’anice Hill Vidal and his nephew Andrew Lee Vidal.
He leaves behind his wife Brenda Hinojos Acosta Vidal, originally from Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico; father Fernando Eugene Vidal and step-mother Sybelia Harley Vidal (Loris, South Carolina); twin brother Keith Eugene Vidal (St. Louis, Missouri); brother Terry Vidal (Ajijic); long lost brother Joseph Voboril (St. Louis, Missouri); children Lucas James (Fort Meyers, Florida) and Kaleb John Vidal (Denver, Colorado); niece Danielle Alexandria Vidal (St. Louis, Missouri); and his cat Idgit. Plus a host of loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Vidal will be sorely missed by his friends and family. He has asked that his ashes be spread on Medicine Bow Peak in Wyoming.
A celebration of his life will be held on May 1, 3 p.m. on the LCS Gazebo. Use the back gate (LCS will be closed for México’s Labor Day). The celebration will include loud head banging rock and roll – you are forewarned. Another celebration of life by his children will be held April 28, 4 p.m. at the Renaissance Design Company in Lincoln, Nebraska.
We imagine he is hiking the ridge-line of the cosmos at this moment exploring the great beyond.