When Walter “Wally” Moll’s name is mentioned, a string of descriptors come to mind: loving father and husband, faithful friend, veteran, coach and educator. But for those who knew him well, all would agree that more adjectives should be added to the mix.

“He had many wonderful memories of Wittenberg,” said his widow Patty Wehn Moll ’49, who accepted his Alumni Citation award, presented posthumously during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Oct. 28-30.

Given to those who have brought honor to Wittenberg through their exceptional accomplishments in which service to humanity is placed ahead of personal gain, the award provided an opportunity to recognize Moll’s commitment to educating young people.

A dedicated teacher, Moll taught elementary and junior high school students in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights area before entering the administrative ranks. During this time, Moll planned and implemented a physical education program, coached basketball and track, and instructed drug education for parents in the local school community in addition to his teaching responsibilities. At one time, Moll also taught elementary-level classes for psychiatric patients at the Cleveland State Hospital. In the mid-1970s, Moll became an administrator in the West Geauga schools in Chesterland, Ohio, retiring as principal of the district’s high school in 1982.

Active in his community, Moll served as a member of the board of directors of the Heights YMCA, director of the Cleveland Heights girls summer softball league and was a volunteer at the Cleveland Museum of National History. Throughout his life, Moll also remembered his alma mater. A member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, the Shifters and Boost W, Moll, who majored in health and physical education and wrote for the Torch, served as president of the Cleveland-area Wittenberg alumni group during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

As was shared at his funeral in 2001, “That man is a success…who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children…who leaves the world better than he found it…who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.”