By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Moser

Thomas George Moser was an educator, political activist and engineer who had studied the classics and theology.

"Tom was a brilliant soul," said one of his sons-in-law, Sean Kelly of Washington, D.C. "He was a man of science, a linguist, a poet, a religious man, a prankster, a beacon of faith, a stubborn mule, a friend, a father and a husband. Let's face it - Tom Moser was probably one of the smartest, most decent men on this planet."

Mr. Moser died Sunday, Feb. 2 at Christ Hospital of cancer. The Bond Hill resident was 59.

He was born in 1943 and grew up in Hammond, Ind., where he worked in the Indiana Harbor steel mills and learned about metallurgy and engineering.

He came to Cincinnati in 1961 and earned a bachelor's degree in Latin (1977) , and later, a master's in theology, both from Xavier University.

In 1965, he married Virginia "Jinny" Grewe, a secretary and part-time student at Xavier.

Mr. Moser worked as a chemist, manager and quality engineer in a number of industrial jobs, including Andrew Jergens Co. (1969-79), Lucas Girling Co. (1982-93) and at ILSCO Corp. in Madisonville at the time of his death.

Through his Latin education and business travel to other countries, he became fluent in German and French and could communicate in a number of other languages including Russian, Japanese, Greek and Welsh.

While working second shift at Jergens, Mr. Moser was a substitute teacher in business law and economics during the day at St. Ursula in the mid-1970s. He coordinated Bellarmine Chapel's CCD religious education program for children.

Mr. Moser was politically active and was elected Precinct Executive in Bond Hill during the 1970s. He worked as a volunteer for a number of local political candidates.

"He never looked down on anyone, not even Republicans - he just thought they were misguided," said Mr. Kelly. "He didn't care if you were `Herr Doktor Professor' or the doorman; to him everyone was a potential friend and his equal."

As an avid gardener, Mr. Moser specialized in tomatoes and grapes and often made his own wine and jellies.

He was a member of the Thomas Merton Society, and Bellarmine Parish at Xavier University.

Mr. Moser was preceded in death by his father, Richard. In addition to his wife and son-in-law, survivors include his mother, Mary of Peoria, Ariz.; a brother, Lawrence of Denver, Colo.; two daughters, Anne Kornfeld of Portland, Ore., and Katherine Kelly of Washington, D.C.; and a grandson.

Services have been held.

Memorials: League of Women Voters - Educational Fund, 103 William Howard Taft Road, Cincinnati, OH 45219; Bellarmine Chapel Outreach, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45207; or Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242.

E-mail kandrew@Enquirer.com