Alex Moore, the husband of Westmont College women’s basketball coach Kirsten Moore, died Wednesday from complications following surgery, the school announced in a press release.
Alex Moore, 31, was an assistant professor in kinesiology at Westmont. The couple met at the college in 2005 when Kirsten became the women’s basketball coach. They got married in 2008 and their first child is due in July.
“The Westmont community has been devastated by the news, and we lift our thoughts and prayers for Alex, Kirsten and their families,” said President Gayle D. Beebe in a statement.
Westmont’s prescheduled Faculty/Staff Appreciation Brunch and awards ceremony on Wednesday turned into a time of prayer and reflection.
“Alex was a bright light — he had a winsome humility,” Beebe said. “He played a unique and distinct role in our kinesiology department and was one reason why the major is so highly regarded.”
Moore, a Wheaton College alumnus, was an adjunct instructor at Westmont for both the kinesiology and biology departments from 2004-06. He taught a wide range of classes, including anatomy, tennis, physiology, biochemistry lab and Fit for Life, a freshman wellness class.
Moore then accepted a fellowship to study at the University of Missouri, which is considered one of the best microcirculatory programs in the country. He earned his doctorate in biomedical sciences at Missouri.
He returned to Westmont in fall 2010 as a sabbatical replacement in the biology department, teaching physiology, genetics and cell biology. He began the tenure-track position in fall 2011 in the kinesiology department, teaching physiology, biomechanics and a research course. His research specialized in microcirculation, focusing on hair-sized arteries and the regulation of blood flow to tissue.
“His love for knowledge, athletics and, most of all, his personal faith gave him an exceptional ability to contribute,” says Glenn Town, chair of the kinesiology department. “He was a bridge builder, seeking to bring people and projects together without pushing his own agenda. His engaging personality made it a delight for faculty and students to interact with him daily. Alex loved teaching and being a mentor.
“I shared with Alex a love for cycling and had the privilege of serving as his cross country coach when he was an undergraduate student at Wheaton. For two consecutive years, Alex was team captain and voted by his teammates “Most Respected.”
Alex, we are going to miss you so incredibly much. :(