Myra E. Moss Rolle, a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Government at CMC, died on July 26 in San Marino. She was 79.
Moss was a CMC professor of philosophy for 32 years, starting in 1975. She was chair of the department from 1992 to 1995.
She received her B.A. from Pomona College in 1958 and her Ph.D. in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins University in 1965. From 1958-1959, Moss was enrolled in the graduate program in Philosophy at the University of Rome.
Professor Moss began teaching as a junior instructor at Johns Hopkins in 1960 and won a fellowship as a Gilman Scholar the next year. From 1966-1968, she was an assistant professor at San Jose State College.
In September 1968, Professor Moss lectured part-time at Santa Clara University. She became a tenured assistant professor there in 1970. From 1975-82, she taught as an associate professor at Claremont Men’s College (the precursor to CMC).
During the course of her career, Professor Moss contributed scholarly monographs and articles to many publications and authored several books, including Benedetto Croce Reconsidered in 1987 and Mussolini’s Fascist Philosopher: Giovanni Gentile Reconsidered in 2004.
In addition to her work in academe (she was the recipient of a Plato Award for iconic educators), Professor Moss was an outstanding equestrian in her youth, winning many championship trophies and other awards throughout the years. She also enjoyed gardening and raising orchids and was a fervent animal lover, particularly cats.
She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Dr. Andrew F. Rolle, Robert Glass Cleland Professor of American History, Emeritus (1952-1988) at Occidental College in Los Angeles, a brother, George “Buddy” Moss, and several nieces and nephews. Professor Moss met her husband after auditing a class of his at Occidental College.