Dr. John H. Moline

It is with great sadness we announce that Dr. John Hall Moline passed away at age 92 on Monday, October 4, 2021, at Life Care Center in Greeley, CO. John was born in Rochester, MN on February 12, 1929, to Anton ("Tony”) and Avis Moline and he had one older brother, Robert. John grew up and graduated high school in Austin, Minnesota. He graduated with his D.D.S. degree from University of Minnesota in 1954 and entered the United States Air Force, serving as a dentist throughout Europe. During his service as a Captain in the USAF, he loved traveling and had a talent for capturing photographs of many beautiful countries. Upon returning to the United States, John moved to Boulder, Colorado to open his dental practice. While living in Boulder, he met his wife Joyce (also a Minnesota native), and they were married on September 29, 1962, in Crosby, MN. While living in Boulder, John and Joyce had two children, Bob and Peg. In 1978 they moved to Loveland to raise their family while John continued practicing dentistry in Northern Colorado, and Joyce served as an educator. In 1992, John and Joyce built a home in Greeley. The couple were married for 53 years until Joyce’s passing in 2016. John’s family knew him as inventive, talented, and creative. In addition to being a skilled dentist, John enjoyed writing op-eds in local papers, investing, real estate, automobiles, and motorcycles. He earned a real estate license and was a successful inventor, having multiple patents to his name; he also created several board games for children. John shared a passion for automobiles with his son Bob, and the two traveled to the Denver Auto Show every year from 1978-2018. John wrote a book reflecting on small business owners and inventors in the corporate world, two other books about his life in Austin, and poems reflecting his view of the world. John was often inspired by poet Oliver Wendell Holmes’ "The Last Leaf” – John’s favorite poem. Asked if he could have chosen an alternative career, he said he would have liked to be a writer. In moments where he could relax, John’s favorite recreational activities included fishing, boating, biking, enjoying nature with his family, and a lifelong love of playing tennis, which he enjoyed until nearly 90 years of age. In Boulder, he and his family spent many weekends cooking breakfast and hiking with family friends at Flagstaff Mountain. Another cherished activity was hiking at Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park followed by a family picnic. John and his family also enjoyed their annual summer trips to northern Minnesota to visit relatives. Later in life, John and Joyce traveled in their Scamp trailer throughout the United States. One of their favorite destinations was Lanesboro, MN where they camped and rode their bicycles through the region. Even in their 70s, they rode 100+ miles a week to soak in the beauty of the Minnesota Fall colors. It was clear that John loved his family. He truly enjoyed watching his grandsons Andrew and Ryan grow up and enjoyed many rounds of board games, hide and seek, and outings to the local parks. John highly valued education and was generous in his encouragement and support of it. He also enjoyed the opportunities to visit with his granddaughters Kate and Bryn when visiting their family in Wisconsin or during their visits to Greeley. John’s grandchildren are grateful that he was able to share a long and active part of their lives. John lived life to the fullest, and he loved -- and was much loved by -- his family. Bob and his family in Greeley were incredible caregivers in John’s later years by visiting him daily and helping him to live a full life. Doctor. Captain. Husband. Dad. Grandpa. Friend. John Moline was known by many names and titles, but those who knew him in any way remember that he was kind, fun-loving, introspective, witty, and incredibly talented. John’s family would like to thank Elmer Burghart and other wonderful Greeley neighbors who were so kind to him and Joyce throughout their lives as well as the staff at The Bridge and Life Care Center in Greeley for their compassionate care over the last five months of John’s life. John is survived by his children, Bob (Karen) Moline of Greeley, CO; Peg (Brad) Johnson of Eau Claire, WI; grandchildren, Andrew, Ryan, Kate, and Bryn. John was preceded in death by his parents, brother and his wife Joyce. Services will be held at a later date in Minnesota. Family and friends can leave condolences at AdamsonCares.com.