By Steven Moga
Aurora, Ill.
Sooner or later, our bodies betray us all. We never know when we will take our last breaths. For my father Robert R. Moga, that moment came on the morning of September 16, almost four weeks after suffering a heart attack. In 89-plus years he lived life to the fullest in many ways. The last few years he spent more time than usual relaxing in his recliner at home, watching television or reading, including The Voice. But most of the time he never sat still for long.
The youngest of four kids, he was born and raised on the East Side of Aurora to immigrant parents from Romania and Hungary, and spoke fluent Romanian. He was graduated from East Aurora High School in 1951 and stayed connected to his alma mater the rest of his life, from the Tomcats’ Sports Boosters, to East High Football Old Timers events, to even teaching a few history classes at the school.
However, his lasting legacy will be his involvement to initiate the school’s nationally-recognized Naval Junior ROTC Program.
Dad joined the Navy right out of high school, served during the Korean War, remained an active Naval Reservist until 1960 and was fiercely patriotic his whole life. He and my mother Joyce (Pilch), were mrried in 1958 and raised four kids, of which I’m the youngest, and they celebrated their 63rd anniversary in May.
He had a 30-year career as a salesman and terminal manager for Advance Transportation Company in Montgomery. Throughout his life he was engaged in the community, from serving on committees, to announcing local high school sports on radio, to singing and playing piano in a local band, to working for the Big Rock Volunteer Fire Department, just to name a few.
He was active within the Kane County Republican Party, and helped get legislation passed to create Waubonsee Community College. He was Aurora Township Supervisor (1964-1972), and spearheaded the drainage work that led to the creation of the Oakhurst Forest Preserve. He held the same position for Big Rock Township (1991-2005), to become the only person in Illinois history to be elected supervisor for two townships in the same county.
He was a coach and officer for more 25 years in the Aurora Boys Baseball (ABB), Pony, and American Legion Leagues. In 15 ABB seasons his teams won 10 division championships, had three runners-up finishes and three league championships. His 2011 induction into the ABB Hall of Fame was a great source of pride.
He was internationally-known Christian concert pianist Huntley Brown’s (see The Voice October 14 edition) first manager, and in retirement made nearly 2,000 wooden soldiers, sailors, and Marines for the families of servicemen and servicewomen. He did it to honor his older brother, Rome Jr., who perished with the USS Houston three months into World War II.
He was a member of St. George Catholic Church in Aurora his whole life, and attended the English Congregational Church in Big Rock, where his memorial service will be held October 24 at 2 p.m. with a visitation at noon.
An avid sports fan, Dad often could be found at many community baseball, football, or basketball games. When I no longer see him in the stands in the coming months at games I’m working at, or coaching in, that’s when I think it will fully sink in that he is gone. Our family has received condolences from hundreds of people, which have been a great source of comfort. But it’s still been an emotional roller coaster at times. Our patriarch, the last of the first generation born in the United States, is no longer here.
My Dad will be remembered for many things, but mostly for his generosity, dedication, congenial manner, and the many lives he touched, directly and indirectly.