Memorial Wall of Honor - Dr. Alvin Moreland

Dr. Alvin Moreland

September 5, 1931 – July 28, 2024

The life journey of Dr. Alvin F. Moreland, Sr., “Al,” ended peacefully at home on July 28, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Born on September 5, 1931, he led a wonderful and fulfilling life as evidenced by the title of his autobiography: “Smelling Roses and Basking in Sunshine.” The middle of three sons of Robert H. and Laura Eloise Moreland, Al was born in Morven, GA. After graduating high-school in 1948, he attended Georgia Teachers College earning a B.S. in Education in 1951; in 1952, he graduated from University of Georgia with a M.S. in Education. Instead of accepting a scholarship for doctoral study, he was commissioned into the US Navy and served on the USS Laffey which participated in the Korean coastal blockade during the Korean War. Upon returning to the US, he was reassigned to the USS Wilhoite and stationed in Charleston, S.C. It was during this time that he met and married Mary Ellen Hardee, a nurse at Roper Hospital. When the Wilhoite was assigned to Seattle, WA, Al and Mary moved there for Al to complete the last year of his enlistment. They returned to Georgia where Al graduated from the University of Georgia veterinary medicine program in 1960. He entered a postdoctoral program in Laboratory Animal Medicine at Wake Forest University’s Bowman-Gray School of Medicine completing it in 1962.

Al’s first position was with the University of Virginia in Charlottesville later moving to Gainesville, FL as the Director of Animal Resources at the University of Florida (UF). In 1968, he served on the UF committee that recommended the development of a veterinary college and conducted the search for its first dean. Al’s appointment expanded to become part of the UF Veterinary College where he served as chair of the Department of Special Clinical Sciences. In 1982, Al added to his work commitments and became the attending veterinarian for the Kennedy Space Center, a consulting position which he held into his 80’s. Al retired from UF in 1995. Across these years, Al and Mary opened their home to the many students he mentored bringing them into the family. His work took him around the world, including South America, Europe, Alaska, South Africa, and Australia.

Al was very active in professional organizations throughout his career, holding leadership positions in most. These included: National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources (ILAR), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM), American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), and American Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (AALAS).

Throughout his life journey, Al had a deep love for wildlife and farm life. He was happiest caring for and being close to the land and telling stories to his family and friends.

Give in memory of Al Moreland and keep his passion alive through the AALAS Foundation.

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