Walter Moran Obituary

Walter Harrison Moran Jr., M.D., 94, of Swanton, Maryland, passed away on June 24, 2025, at Garrett Regional Medical Center. Born on November 16, 1930, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, he was the son of Walter H. Sr., and Edna (Solomon) Moran.

Dr. Moran received a degree in chemistry from the University of North Dakota. He then went on to acquire a Doctoral degree in Medicine from Harvard Medical School (1955). He did a 5-year Residency at the University of Minnesota and was a First Lieutenant in the Army Reserve.

Walter H. Moran Jr., M.D., came to West Virginia from the University of Minnesota as a junior resident to become the very first chief resident in the WVU department of surgery that saw the very first patient admitted to the newly open hospital. He went on to become a faculty member, establishing himself as a scientist and academician with a strong research laboratory, holding dual appointments in surgery and the department of physiology and biophysics. During his career, Dr. Moran published 21 papers, 8 book chapters, multiple reviews and editorials, and 9 published abstracts. His clinical interests included the care of burn patients, along with endocrine and trauma surgery. Personal reports from his former pupils and all available records indicate that he was a successful teacher of students and residents at all levels. Additionally, Dr. Moran performed a study for NASA on the effects of Changing Gravity and Weightlessness of the Vasopressin Control System.

The establishment of the emergency department, development of EMS, paramedic and trauma systems at WVU and throughout the state is attributed almost solely to Dr. Moran and his perseverance. He personally established emergency care standards at West Virginia University Hospital and worked with the state to establish its emergency medical system and communications network in the early 1970s. It is rumored that he personally helped place a communications tower on top of Chestnut Ridge, a local mountaintop, which provided the possibility for distant radio communications.

Dr. Moran's primary contribution to surgical science research began when he developed a technique to measure antidiuretic hormone through an automatic assay using an IBM computer. Using this assay, he discovered primary secretion of antidiuretic hormone without other causes, an important breakthrough nationally. Dr. Moran was a member and leader of multiple prestigious regional and national societies, including being a founding member of the American Trauma Society, in January of 1975. After his retirement in 1986, he was awarded Professor Emeritus by The Department of Surgery Promotion & Tenure Committee, for his excellence and commitment to teaching, service, and research & scholarly activity.

He is survived by his daughter, Caroline Robison and husband Eric; daughter-in-law Cheri Nottingham-Moran; grandchildren, Eric Robison and wife Misha, Brodie Robison and wife Bobbie, and BreAnn Robison; and a great grandchild, Vitani.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joan (Oty) Moran, and his son, Christopher Moran.

Dr. Moran's wishes to be cremated were honored and he will be buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery, in North Dakota. No services are scheduled.

The Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes, P.A. - Oakland Chapel is honored to be serving the Moran family at this time.