Robert Carroll “Bob” Moody, 87, long time Richmond Attorney and enthusiastic community preservationist, passed away peacefully at 5:40 AM on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
The story of Bob started at 5:15 AM on Friday, August 13, 1937, at the old Pattie A. Clay Hospital on Glyndon Avenue, in Richmond, when he was born to the late George “G.W.” & Elizabeth “Betsy” Wines Moody. His family lived in Union, Kentucky during his childhood, which was perfect for a young man with an interest in history. He spent much time taking parts of digs at Big Bone Lick, where he helped uncover Mastodon bones which now are in the Behringer-Crawford Museum. He would attend and graduate from Dixie Heights High School where Bob was a student athlete and wore jersey #33 for the basketball team. Bob would enroll and further his education at the University of Kentucky earning a degree in Anthropology in 1959 and was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Shortly after he join the US Army where he was a member of the Military Intelligence Corps, stationed in Japan during the Cold War, earning the rank of Captain.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in the early 1960’s, Bob returned to US soil and enrolled in the University of Kentucky School of Law where he completed his Juris Doctor degree.
After graduating from law school, Bob would come to Madison County and become a 6th generation farmer, and community member in what he considered his hometown. Mr. Moody started practicing law in 1968 and was the oldest member of the Madison County Bar Association at the time of his death. His office for many years was in the ca. 1820 creamery building at the corner of North First & East Irvine Streets. He served as the Richmond City Attorney for 21 years, Professor at Eastern Kentucky School of Law Enforcement for several years and was still a member of the City of Richmond Ethics Board at the time of his passing.
Bob was a 50+ year member of the Kingston Lodge No. 315 Free & Accepted Masons and had served as Master in 1977. He was also a member of the Devotion Lodge No. 160, Free & Accepted Masons in Lexington, The Lexington Scottish Rite bodies, Richmond York Rite bodies, as well as the Oleika Shrine Temple, and for several years he was pleased to serve as Attorney for the Shriner’s Oleika Temple. In his later years, Bob took great pride in transporting children to and from the Shiners Hospitals in Lexington & Cincinnati.
Community involvement and especially preservation was something Bob felt very passionate about. Bob was a 34+ year active in the Richmond Rotary Club where he served as President and various other roles. He received the Rotary’s prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award 6 times and truly took to heart the moto, “Service above Self”. Mr. Moody was instrumental in the placement of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Madison County Courthouse lawn, and the Battle of Richmond’s Masonic Memorial at the Battle of Richmond Visitors Center.
He was a major supporter and organizer of efforts to preserve and protect the land and history of the Battle of Richmond and was a founding member of the Battle of Richmond Association, Madison County Civil War Roundtable, and Central Kentucky World War II Roundtable, and was a member of the Madison County Historical Society, and the Sgt. Elijah P. Marrs Camp No. 5, Kentucky Dept., Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
He spent countless hours and resources ensuring that local historical sites such as, Fort Twetty, Battle of Richmond, and Native American Burial Mounds, mainly in Kentucky, were protected and preserved for the future. His dedication to historical interest is unmatched, and those who knew him personally knew that he didn’t shy away from speaking his mind when questioned about the topic.
In 2023, the Richmond City Commission dedicated, and renamed the main road in Richmond Battlefield Park, “Bob Moody Drive”, after Bob in honor of his unwavering efforts of support, and in 2024, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, presented Bob with the prestigious Cornelius Whitehouse award for his preservation efforts at the Battle of Richmond site.
On a more personal note, Bob’s love for his community was more than just the historical aspect – he enjoyed visiting with his friends and colleagues and often had a story to share. He was a collector of just about anything, and loved to travel, including going to Gettysburg, overseas to Egypt & Venezuela, yearly visits to London & Japan, and often would host his friends from Japan for potlucks at the family farm in Kingston. Bob was an avid sports fan of the Cincinnati Reds and long time fan and benefactor of the UK Wildcats where he had season tickets for both football and basketball dating back to the Adolf Rupp Era. He was a lover of limericks and rarely was at a loss for words. Bob was a long time member of the White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include: his daughter, Michelle Moody; his sister, Sue Moody Marquardt; niece and nephews, Leslie Merryman (Johnny), Todd Marquardt, and Rick Marquardt (Harue); as well as 2 great-nieces, 2 great-nephews and a host of friends. He also leaves behind his trusted companion, his dog Carnegie.
In accordance with his wishes, private burial was in the Richmond Cemetery.
On Bob’s headstone he left us one final thought – “To whom are you going now, for limericks?”
Donations in memory of Bob are suggested to: Battle of Richmond Association, 101 Battlefield Memorial Highway, Richmond, KY 40475.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and support staff at McCready Manor, and the Lexington Country Place.
The Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home, W. Main St., Richmond, in charge of the arrangements. www.cpcfh.com
