Robert Moore, ND survivor

It took the West Nile Virus to slow this Devils Lake teaching legend down By Mike Bellmore - Features Editor Long-time Devils Lake teacher Bob Moore relaxes in his room at Heartland Care as he recovers from a tough bout with West Nile Disease this fall. In early August, long-time Devils Lake High School art instructor Robert Moore was all signed, sealed and primed for his 52nd year of teaching. A pesky little mosquito put those plans in shambles. A week after he was bitten by the mosquito, Moore was diagnosed with West Nile Disease. The disease has been fatal to some in North Dakota and elsewhere, and affected his central nervous system. Since that time, he’s been in five different hospitals, rehab centers and care facilities. Now, at Heartland Care here in Devils Lake he says he’s getting better and the care he has received has been fabulous. “These people have been so nice,’’ he marvels. “I’ve got wonderful therapists and couldn’t ask for more caring people. It has been a marvelous experience.’’ Moore, who was honored by the Park Board a few months ago for his 50 years of work with that organization, couldn’t speak, chew food or handle any type of solid food for weeks. He’s been, basically, on a liquid diet. As he became the 111th of 328 West Nile victims in North Dakota this year, he was vomitting and sick to his stomach with a 103 degree temperature over four days. He was constantly tired and had a stroke as well. He’s been hospitalized in Devils Lake, Hallock, Grand Forks, and spent time at the Grand Forks Rehab Center before landing here at Heartland Care in Devils Lake. Moore was being visited by family members Betty Youngren and Bill Moore of Hallock, who wanted to extend heartfelt thanks to the community for the care Bob has received. What perhaps made him even sicker this fall was knowing he was missing out on a big part of his life - the kids and the people he works with at the school. “It’s my life and I really miss it,’’ the 73-year-old smiled. “This is the first time I’ve ever missed so much school - the longest I’ve ever been away from school.’’ Moore says he’s feeling well enough to maybe visit the school next week, but he’s unsure about a return. He says he’s getting stronger and feeling better by the day. (For a copy of this News story see the Thursday, October 11, 2007 Journal) 10/11/07