Island Icon:
“The Professor ”
Captain Ernest M. “Mel” Moore, Jr., USN (Ret.) - June 2, 1929-November 17, 2020 Spring 2002: He catalogs his collection by geographic origin—country or continent. Methodically, deliberately, and almost fervently, Mel Moore researches new collectibles—cameos, Chinese snuff bottles, mabe pearls, Asian porcelain, or antique marbles. “I get interested in one particular thing and pursue it to the ultimate and then, the next week, I’m into something else. It keeps me out of trouble.” Mel can wax authoritatively, albeit somewhat esoterically, about the origins of his ceramics and keeps abreast with his board activity at the San Francisco Ceramics League, which meets monthly at the Palace of the Legion of Honor. He acquires his treasures and artfully displays the pieces around his simple fishing cabin on Bethel Island in the Delta region of the San Francisco Bay. A native of northern California, Mel takes great comfort in the familiar surroundings of this remote town, a place he spent summers as a youth with his high school friend’s family, fishing so at all. But I tend to mind my own busi-
not as long as some.” And, yet, Mel now
ness, let me put it that way.” Is he a hermit?
seems to relish his self-imposed solitude.
be isolated, but if I want to go someplace, I
“Not at all. There are too many things I
He retreated to this peaceful and rustic spot
can go a reasonable distance…Being inde-
enjoy going out and doing.”
twelve years ago. He lives alone and keeps
and “chasing girls.” “I found this place and love it ‘cause I can
pendent and reclusive is not one of my…
“Most of my time [in captivity] was
well, I don’t have any problems entertain-
isolated—twenty-two months solitary con-
ing myself.” Is he reclusive? “Some people
finement, sixteen months straight—or with
Did his penchant for academic and soli-
would consider [me so,] but I don’t think
one or a few men…longer than most, but
tary pursuits help him survive the extreme
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himself occupied researching, acquiring, and cataloging his collections.