Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ― Oscar Wilde

Daniel Regis Moran was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Thomas & Helen Moran on November 8th, 1946. Dan was the second of six children. From a young age, he was an autodidact with a strong desire to learn. Dan fondly remembered the Carnegie Library, where a kind librarian let him handle books, such as world atlases and historical non-fiction, typically reserved for adults. His interest in both history and travel were threads that carried through his life.

Dan attended South Hills High School and shortly after enlisted in the United States Navy as a Communications Specialist, serving four years on the USS Ranger - completing three tours into the Gulf of Tonkin. After an honorable discharge, Dan seized the opportunity to enroll in an engineering program and went on to work for NASA. During those storied years, he lived on Ascension Island, Madagascar, and Bermuda. In Bermuda, he met his wife-to-be of 40 years, Pamela. She was a pretty nurse from England with a sharp sense of humor and the ability to care for all people. The two married quickly and their son, Nicholas, was born on the island.

Dan was then called to work on NASA Space Shuttle landings in the Mojave Desert. The young family moved to California, where their daughter, Sarah, was born. It was not long before they wished to be near the water again. Dan applied for a transfer to Southern Maryland, where their third child, Megan, was born. They made Maryland their home and enjoyed living by the Chesapeake Bay.

Dan continued his career specializing in Aircraft Carrier engineering, design & specification. He traveled the world for work from San Diego to Singapore to Sydney - bringing home souvenirs his kids treasured. Later in life, Dan and Pam traveled to see their children who had dispersed across the county from Alaska to Florida, returned to the UK & Bermuda, and embarked together from Hawaii to Italy. Dan’s understanding of the larger world added to a rich perspective on life that he shared through his stories.

When his wife Pamela became ill, he upheld his promise to care for her in sickness and in health. The pair managed with grace and dignity. One doctor commented that seeing the two together was like “watching a symphony” - recalling how they completed each other's sentences.

After Pamela’s passing, Dan began consulting part-time for the US Navy. At age 77, he kept up with technology and enjoyed team meetings. When Dan was not dedicated to his work, he was busy visiting family and being completely adored by his four granddaughters, ages 3 to 7.

Daniel was a proud and caring father. He is survived by his son Nicholas Moran, daughter Sarah Moran, son-in-law Anders Vidstrand, daughter Megan Johnson, and son-in-law Kyle Johnson. Daniel is also survived by his four grandchildren Isla, Fiona, Brook, and Sydney; as well as his siblings Robert Moran, Thomas Moran, and Ann Oehling. Dan is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pamela, his sister Christine Baine, and his brother Joseph Moran.

When Dan passed away, he had a plane ticket booked for his next adventure. He is on a new journey - departed to be at peace with his loving wife and to watch over his family from his place in heaven. Daniel was well-loved and will be dearly missed.

Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral prayer on Friday morning at 9:00. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish, St. Catherine of Siena Church at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Heathwell Foundation https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/