Dorothy C Moyer

Dr. Dorothy “Dottie” Clauser Moyer, professor emeritus at Kutztown University, died Friday, January 30, 2009, surrounded by her family at her sister, Eleanor Biltheiser’s home in Pottsville, PA. She resided in Naples, Florida, for portions of the year since her retirement in 1993. Dr. Moyer waged a valiant two-year battle against pancreatic cancer.

Born in Pottsville, PA, Dr. Moyer was the daughter of the late William W. Clauser, Sr., and Ruth F. (Fuller) Clauser. Dr. Moyer was a graduate of the Pottsville High School Class of 1955 and a 1959 graduate of Kutztown State Teachers College (now Kutztown University) with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. She received her M.S. in Elementary Education from Kutztown State College in 1963 and Ed.D. Degree in Elementary Education from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA in 1974.

Dr. Moyer began her teaching career in 1959 as a fourth grade teacher in Sinking Spring. From 1962-66, she was an instructor and assistant professor in the Elementary Education Department at Kutztown State College. During this time period, Dr. Moyer was a teaching supervisor in the laboratory school and supervisor of student teachers at Kutztown. She was an Assistant Professor in the Elementary Education Department at West Chester State College (now West Chester University) from 1966-68. In 1969, Dr. Moyer returned to Kutztown University where she served as an assistant professor and later full professor in the Elementary Education Department until her retirement in June 1993. She was Chairperson of the Elementary Education Department from 1990-93. Dr. Moyer was on the KU Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and the head coach of the women’s basketball program from 1974-76. Dr. Moyer’s passion was children’s literature and she taught and designed many courses in the graduate department. She was the author of a 1979 article in Teacher’s Magazine entitled, “Don’t Forget the Oldies: Keeping the Cobwebs Off Children’s Classics.” She was also an experienced conference and workshop presenter.

Dr. Moyer was honored for twelve years of service to the KU Alumni Association as a member and officer on the Board of Directors. She was named Outstanding Faculty Member at KU by the Sisters of Delta Zeta Society of KU. In 1993, Dr. Moyer was honored at the KU All Sports Banquet where the Coach of the Year Award for Women’s Athletics was renamed the Dorothy C. Moyer Award. She recently endowed a scholarship to benefit a Kutztown University women’s student-athlete who is majoring in education.

After her retirement in 1993, Dr. Moyer relocated to Naples, Florida, where she resided for several months each year. Dottie was a member of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples. She served as Adjunct Professor at the University of South Florida, Fort Myers, and Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers. Dottie was an avid golfer who also enjoyed traveling, reading, walking, bicycling, music, and spending time with her family. Dr. Moyer was a member of the Kutztown band and orchestra as an undergraduate. She continued her love of music as a clarinet player for the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra for fifteen years. Dottie particularly enjoyed times spent with family and friends in Ocean City, NJ, English Center, PA, and on numerous golf courses in Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Dr. Moyer influenced many lives in her roles as teacher, coach, mentor, and will be remembered and missed by her loving family and numerous friends.

She is survived by Sisters, Eleanor Clauser Biltheiser, wife of the late John G. Biltheiser, Pottsville and Helen Clauser Rudy, wife of Holland R. Rudy, Middletown, NJ; Brother, George C. Clauser and wife, Elizabeth, Shiremanstown, PA. She was predeceased by Brothers, William W. Clauser and Robert L. Clauser, Pottsville. Dr. Moyer is survived by Step-Sons, Douglas K. Moyer, Reading, PA and Dennis K. Moyer and wife, Kathy, Macungie, PA and Step-Daughter-in-law, Linda B. Moyer, Reiffton, Reading, PA. Dr. Moyer is also survived by 5 Step Grandchildren and 7 Step Great Grandchildren. Her 4 Nieces, 6 Nephews, and Great Nieces and Nephews will also deeply miss their “Aunt Dot.”

A Memorial Service in celebration of her life will be held Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM from Ludwick Funeral Home, 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown. Inurnment in Fairview Cemetery, Kutztown. Friends may call Saturday, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Dorothy C. Moyer to Kutztown University Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 151, Kutztown, PA 19530-0151. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.