Moore retires after almost three decades inking tourism magazine

Sitting in the workspace of Nevada Magazine Editor Dave Moore several things become very apparent. His desk is the model for organized chaos, with piles of papers and handwritten notes flanked by a well-worn dictionary. He is comfortable here behind the desk helping - as he puts it - to make the writers and the state look good.

Yet the most striking realization for visitors to Moore's desk is his love of the battle-born state and the magazine designed to showcase it.

"It's a state of great contrasts. You can go from a ghost town in the morning to a fancy hotel and casino watching Cirque Du Soleil in one day," Moore said.

After 28 years of showcasing his adopted home, the 57-year-old Moore spent his last day behind the desk Friday finishing up stories, tying up loose ends and looking back on almost three decades at the magazine. Moore is originally from upstate New York and moved to Nevada in 1967.

He began as an editorial assistant/circulation manager in September 1977, he was promoted to managing editor in the early 1980s and had his title changed to editor in 1990. During his tenure, he has seen the staff grow from a four-member staff to a staff of 12. He was there when the magazine began using Macintosh computers to design its pages.

As he finishes up the last story, a piece on facets of Nevada gaming, he still remembers his first. It was a freelance piece on the Lost City Museum in Overton written in 1975.

During his tenure he has lived in Carson City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Reno and most recently Dayton as well as visited almost every corner of the state.

"I really like Las Vegas and I love Valley of Fire State Park. I enjoy the small towns. They are comfortably small where you can go and see the history of the town right there. Towns like Hawthorne, Eureka and Tonopah are just wonderful," Moore said.

His colleagues affectionately call him the walking editorial index and tout his ability to recall the issue in which just about any story was published. For Moore, looking back at old issues allows him to recall what went on behind the pages and how the magazine has changed.

"I can look at an issue from years ago and remember what we did to create it. It's like a flashback with every issue," he said. "As people's interests have changed, we have changed. We do more on dining than we used to do. It used to be more stories about wood stoves and now it's nightclubs."

Even though he said he is looking forward to a slower pace and more time for himself, old habits die hard.

"When we are on deadline, (Moore) always says 'wait just one more thing.' You almost have to pull the pages away from him to get it published," Publisher Rich Moreno said.

Moreno has a special connection to Moore, before he became publisher Moreno worked as a freelance writer, receiving direction from the man he now supervises.

"We will miss him. He's been the heart and soul of Nevada Magazine for many years," Moreno said. "He has an uncanny ability to pear down your story to its essence without losing your personality."

Even on his last day, Moore said he wasn't quite done and would most likely have to come in one more day.

Moore said he wants to be remembered as "someone who didn't over edit and who put people in the best possible light, whether they are writers or subjects. Also someone who helped people understand how great a state Nevada is and encourage people to explore it."

Moore's replacement will be Joyce Hollister who has served as associate editor for the last four years.

After his last issue has been sent to the press and he has cleaned out his desk, Moore said he intends to improve his golf game, work on several book projects and finally do something he has been wanting to for some time.

"I want to learn to play the eukelele, I've had one for years and have wanted to learn to play it," he said.

Even after he leaves, Moore's influence will still permeate the magazine he guided for almost three decades.

"It won't be the same on Monday without him here," Moreno said.

-- Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.