Carl Orville Moore, known to many as “Bud,” passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026, with his family by his side.

He was born on December 21, 1935, in Springfield, Illinois, to Carl Edward “Bearpaw” Moore and Ethel LaVelma “Nan” Moore (Foster). Carl was raised in Rochester, Illinois, and lived his entire life close to his family and friends. As a boy, he spent summers with his aunts, uncles, and cousins in Dahinda, Illinois, and forever treasured his memories of working on Riverdale Farm. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1953 and received a B.A. in biology from Illinois College in 1959. On July 25, 1959, Carl married the love of his life, Rosalind Marguerite “Peggy” Moore (LaMarche). He joined the Army ROTC program from 1958 to 1960 and was activated for “special weapons training” in Savanna, Illinois, during the Berlin Wall crisis. Carl had a successful career as a food scientist for A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. in Decatur, Illinois, for more than 40 years and as a highly sought-after consultant in retirement. Carl was also well known in the community for his small Christmas tree farm.

Carl was a master craftsman in his life’s work. He possessed a rare blend of creativity and precision, which showed in his carpentry and intricate woodworking projects. Professionally, he brought this same detail-focused nature to the field of food science, where he became a highly respected specialist in the complex chemistry of candy production. He invented many products and processes for Staley and is credited with more than 20 unique design patents.

Some of Bud’s favorite things in life were gathering for family dinners and playing games together, proudly watching his grandsons Sean & Aiden play sports, and whipping his buddies at shuffleboard every Friday at the Buckhart Tavern. His red Massey Ferguson tractor was a faithful companion, and his heart was content when he was working in his Christmas tree patch or around his fields & river bottoms on Old Red. He enjoyed traveling all around the world; in particular, a piece of his heart belonged to White Sand Lake in Wisconsin, where he had so many wonderful times with the LaMarche family.

Above all else, he was a man defined by a steadfast love for his family. Though his sweet Peggy passed away 21 years ago, his love for her never wavered. He carried her memory with him always, whether he was eating breakfast beside her picture next to his sitting chair each morning or stubbornly refusing to trade in the decrepit 25-year-old Ford Expedition he referred to as his “Peggy Car.” His family takes immense comfort in knowing that they are joyously reunited in Heaven, along with their beloved oldest son, Joe.

Carl is survived by his children, Daniel George Moore (Roxann), Benjamin James Moore (Kelly), and Anna Lynn Plessa (Derek). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ashley Moore, Sean Plessa, Aiden Plessa, Jenna Hart (Jon), and his great-grandchildren, Alex, Hanna, and Elizabeth. Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, and his firstborn son, Joseph Paul Moore.

Cremation Services are being accorded.

Visitation will be held on Friday August 7, 2026 at the Rochester United Methodist Church, 555 S Walnut St, Rochester, IL 62563 from 10:00 am till the time of the Memorial Service at 12:00 pm. A Committal service at Rochester Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rochester United Methodist Church or to Bud’s favorite charity, the American Red Cross.