Obituary of Bret J. Moeller

Gathered here to celebrate his life, it is with great sadness that we are mourning the passing of our beloved father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, companion, friend and respected colleague Bret James Moeller. 

Bret was born on January 24, 1960 to James and Lois Moeller, in Inglewood, California.  Coming from an accomplished family, Jim was an engineer for NASA, and Lois an elementary school teacher, ice and ballroom dancer.  Jim’s work took them to many states and they lived in Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio and eventually returned to Florida.  Bret and his sister Linda, shared fond memories of summer visits to family farms in Minnesota.

A precociously intelligent child with an infectious sense of humor, curiosity, sweetness, and an attraction to dangerous things, he was a true boy. Bret was an athlete and a lover of the outdoors.  He was a star tennis player, accomplished snow and water skier, scuba diver, fisherman, hunter, and could command a sailboat or motor boat with ease. He loved cars and motorcycles, driving expertly fast and skillfully on the open road. 

Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit, he learned to make money by scouring a local golf course for abandoned balls that he later sold to the golfers that lost them!  Other early careers included being a radio DJ in high school and college.  Bret had an incredible knowledge of music and artists from many decades and genres. He was especially proud of his son Troy who is an accomplished and talented musician and performer.  

After high school Bret earned degrees from Oakland University, Central Michigan University, and was all but dissertation (ABD) as a doctoral student at the University of Michigan.  Using his expertise in technology and business, he was a respected authority in Information Technology and served in many teaching, leadership and executive roles.  His felt some of his most fulfilling and productive times were at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston as the Chief Information Officer working with his mentor Jesse Thompson and CampusWorks under the direction of Liz Murphy.  As a result of his career he traveled and worked nationally and internationally, implementing and leading cutting edge technology and strategic planning.

Bret’s world revolved around his family and friends and his adored cats, Redford and Piper.  He was a prankster, comedian, ridiculously bad dancer and the life of any party. We will love and miss him always.

He is survived by his son Troy, Lois Moeller (mother), Linda Ruemenapp (sister), Dave Ruemenapp, (brother-in-law), their adult children Adam (nephew), Karen (niece), Ron Priest (Lois’ husband), special friend Nancee Sorenson, best college friend Brad Zobel as well as many uncles, aunts and cousins from Minnesota, Arizona, and South Dakota and dear friends and colleagues locally, and across the country.  He is predeceased by his father James (Jim) Russell Moeller, who passed away in May, 1999.