The University of Utah community mourns the loss of John A. Moran — U alum, business leader and philanthropist whose generosity helped establish the Moran Eye Center. 

“We are very saddened to learn of John Moran’s passing,” said Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah. “John was a remarkable individual who believed that together we can accomplish the extraordinary, like restoring vision. His commitment to the University of Utah and his legacy through the John A. Moran Center demonstrates a lifelong belief in the power of doing the impossible.”

Moran died on Sept. 23, 2023 at the age of 91. Throughout his life, he often shared a simple mantra: “You won’t be remembered for how much money you made, you will be remembered for what you did with it.” A man who heeded his own words, Moran dedicated much of the wealth he earned during his finance career to non-profit organizations across the country. 

At the U, his beloved alma mater, he left a beacon of hope bearing his name: the John A. Moran Eye Center.

“It is my hope that the research and the work that’s being done here will prevent diseases of the eye that cause blindness and, God willing, restore sight to people who have lost their vision,” said Moran, in tearful remarks at a news conference opening the current Moran Eye Center building.

Today, the center he championed is ranked among the 10 best in the nation for its care, education, and research, and is known for its outreach to increase access to eye care in Utah and around the world.

“John’s death leaves a huge hole in our hearts,” said Randall J Olson, Moran Eye Center CEO. “He was a true friend with a desire to help others, and his dedication to our vision to provide hope, understanding, and treatment deeply motivated me and everyone at Moran to strive for excellence.”

A $3.5 million gift from Moran established the first center building. He also contributed $18 million of the $54 million donated to open the current Moran Eye Center building in 2006. Moran was instrumental in the design of the five-story center, which has a wall of glass windows that allow patients to see amazing views of the Salt Lake Valley after receiving sight-restoring surgeries and treatment.

Moran’s legacy at the University of Utah extends beyond vision. He was a passionate supporter of many areas on campus, including the L.S. Skaggs, Jr. Pharmacy Research Building, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Huntsman Cancer Institute. He also held an honorary Doctorate of Law and served on the school’s National Advisory Council.

Read more about Moran’s life and legacy here.