Construction Equipment has lost a colleague and a friend. Walt Moore, who served as Senior Editor and Contributing Editor, died this past weekend.
Walt started his career with Construction Equipment in the mid-1980s after a stint writing training manuals for International Harvester. The transition from technical writing to business journalism is tough, but Walt mastered it. He explained complex ideas with clarity in ways that garnered him and the magazine numerous editorial awards.
Walt’s contributions enabled the magazine to win several Jesse H. Neal Awards. He was personally honored with the Silver Hard Hat, the former Construction Writers Association’s highest award that recognized individuals for outstanding contributions in service to the construction industry. Walt’s final award came in 2019, when he won a National Bronze AZBEE for “Telematics Contribute to Project Success,” a case history explaining how a fleet of construction equipment was managed for a $1.4 billion road and bridge project in California.
Walt’s career included working with three chief editors and numerous construction journalists, many of whom are still in the industry. He wrote about the evolution of Japanese manufacturing in “The Global Challenge” series and infrastructure efforts in “Rebuilding America.” With engine emissions, Walt not only helped explain the nuances of various technologies, but he also offered insights into other issues, such as hydraulic injection injuries and numerous articles about fuel cleanliness.
Walt’s legacy contribution is the Field Test, in which Construction Equipment evaluates new machines, today’s only third-party in-field evaluation of construction equipment. The Test started as a performance-based comparison between the new model and its predecessor, and evolved into today’s analysis of performance by operator trainers from the International Union of Operating Engineers.
His career accomplishments, however, are second to his character and lasting effect on those with whom he worked and interacted. Walt was humble, gracious, loving, kind, and encouraging. He always put others ahead of himself.
The staff of Construction Equipment mourn his loss. He has left a hole and he will be sorely missed.