Richard James Moen

March 21, 1947 - September 2, 2024

Richard James Moen (Rick) of Eau Claire, WI died of Glioblastoma on September 2, 2024 at age 77. Rick was a gentle, soft-spoken, humble guy. He loved his wife Esther, his circle of close friends, his doggie pets, gardening, motorcycling, Sammy’s pizza, Apple computers, and listening to his 10,000+ song collection on his pride and joy stereo system.

He was a middle and high school math teacher in the Menomonie and Chippewa Falls school districts for 21 years. His wry sense of humor served him well, and he delighted in soliciting eye rolls and groans from his students after a corny joke. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow teachers, especially the Friday social hours at the Fill Inn Station in Chippewa Falls.

After retirement in 2006, Rick shared many cross-country motorcycle trips with his riding buddies, Ron, Harry, Bob, and Dave and day rides for pie or ice cream with Jim and Jean. He was a proud member of the Iron Butt Club, after he and Harry rode 1,000 miles in one day. He achieved Master Gardener status and worked on many community projects. He was a faithful Brewer and Packer fan and spent many hours watching games on TV and attending Brewer Spring training games in Arizona. He and Esther enjoyed 8 sunny retirement years living in Tucson, AZ, returning to Eau Claire in 2022.

Rick is survived by his wife of 45 years – Esther, his sister, Jean Polk and niece Robin Polk.

Thank you to his medical and hospice teams from Mayo Clinic Health System and Dove Healthcare and our wonderful supportive friends who helped us through 9 difficult months.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Eau Claire Community Humane Association, 3900 Old Town Hall Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Dove Healthcare-West Community Room, 1405 Truax Blvd, Eau Claire, WI from 1:00-3:30pm on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 with a program at 3 pm.

Excerpt from the first newsletter:

The Diocese of Eau Claire

Vol. 1 No. 1

Hudson, WI, June, 1929

"Last Supper" Panel

————————

Herewith is a cut of the memorial panel which was unveiled on the Fifth Sunday after Easter, May 22, 1927. It is the gift of Mrs. Walter Fitch in memory of her mother, Mrs. Abigail Milliken Harper, who entered into Paradise July 2, 1904. The panel consists of a wood carving done by one of the Oberammergau Langs (the same who did the carving on the Rood Beam) who is credited with being one of the two best wood carvers in this country. The panel itself is set in a Gothic frame and illuminated by a concealed light from above. 

The carving is a reproduction of the painting known as the "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian painter of the fifteenth century. It shows our Lord and the twelve apostles in the upper room in Jerusalem on Maunday Thursday night when Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Communion. The particular incident portrayed occurred just as our Lord made the startling announcement: "Verily, verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me." Immediately to the right of our Lord sits St. John, the Beloved Disciple, perplexed by this unexpected statement. St. Peter (third on the right) has jumped to his feet and is leaning back of Judas Iscariot reaching for St. John and urging him to ask the Master who the traitor may be. Judas shrinks forward on the table clutching his money bag. 

On the left of our Lord is St. James the Elder, leaning back with hands extended in astonishment. Behind him stands St. Thomas with his hands raised as though asking the question, "Lord, is it I?" And next to him is pleading his innocence of any treachery. Toward the left end of the table is a group of three more apostles with their heads together discussing the strange turn of events. The first of them is St. Matthew, speaking to the other apostles but extending his hands toward the Savior as though referrring to His recent remarks. Next is Thadeus, striking one hand into the other in token of surprise, and at the end of the table is Simon the Canaanite with his hands extended in dismay. 

The last three, at the right hand end of the table represent St. Andrew with his hands raised in amazement, while St. James the Younger reaches behind him toward St. Peter as though to restrain any hasty action. At the end of the table St. Bartholomew leans attentively forward to catch our Lord's reply to St. John's question as to the identity of the traitor. It is an exceptionally expressive piece of work, beautifully executed and placed in the wall of the Church near the pew which Mrs. Harper used to occupy in the old Church. 

Look for this as you walk into the Cathedral on the right hand side handing on the wall.