Paul K. Mooring, M.D., 83

Paul K. Mooring, M.D., 83, died at his home on Swan Lake on Wednesday, June 13, 2007. He was born Sept. 16, 1923, in Houston, and raised in Stuttgart, Ark.

Dr. Mooring served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps from 1941 to 1946. After World War II, he attended the University of California, Berkeley and completed an undergraduate degree at New York University. A graduate of Columbia Medical School, Dr. Mooring interned at Bellevue Hospital, and did his residency at Babies Hospital at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Board certified in pediatric cardiology, he moved to Omaha, Neb., in 1962, where he was professor of pediatrics and director of pediatric cardiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center until his retirement in 1986. Dr. Mooring was also an associate editor at MD Magazine for many years.

Dr. Mooring raised cattle on his farm in Fort Calhoun, Neb., before retiring to Montana. An avid reader and gardener, he spent his time clearing land, developing an azalea and rhododendron garden, and observing the wildlife on Swan Lake. He enjoyed life in Bigfork, and served as president of the Bigfork Development Company from 1990 to 1991 and was part of the initial efforts to secure the Swan River Nature Trail.

Dr. Mooring is survived by his wife, LaVon; and his daughters, Karen Wennerstrom of Seattle, and Tanya Emmerich and son-in-law Tim Emmerich of Fort Calhoun, Neb.; as well as his brother, Dana, of Conway, Ark.

He was much loved by his patients, friends, neighbors and family. He made a difference in the lives of many and will be surely missed. A memorial service is planned for a future date.

The family suggests memorials to the Bigfork Library or Doctors Without Borders.