Paul Eibner Moriarty, 96 of Brookings, SD passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, July 28, 2025.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Brookings, SD. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Rude’s Funeral Home with a 7 p.m. liturgical wake service. A Rosary will also be held at 9:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Thursday with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass.
Paul Eibner Moriarty of Brookings, South Dakota was called to heaven on Monday, July 28, 2025. He passed away peacefully in his home on Lake Campbell where he spent his final years. He was born in Brookings, SD on April 30, 1929, and was a lifelong resident of Brookings. He was the son of John Jeremiah and Cecilia (Eibner) Moriarty and the youngest of five children in the family.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Doris (nee Opp) and his step-children Miles Schumacher (Vickie) of Sioux Falls, step-grandson Marty (Jenna) Schumacher and step great-grandchildren Oziah and Adelaide of Sioux Falls, SD, step-grandson Teddy Schumacher of Minneapolis, MN, Julie (Paul) Peterson and step-granddaughter Blair of Spearfish, SD, step-daughter-in-law Angie Schumacher, step-grandson Blake (Ashtyn) Schumacher and step great-grandson Julian of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jodie (Leo) Bunuel and step-grandchildren Diego and Jesse of Reno, NV. Paul is also survived by 24 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews, who love him dearly.
Paul worked in the family restaurant starting at a young age. He learned everything, from serving ice cream to washing dishes to sweeping the floors. Paul developed a lifelong love for ice cream, and he enjoyed it every day throughout his life. His parents worked long hours and continued working years past the usual retirement age. They imparted a strong work ethic in Paul and his siblings.
This work ethic stayed with him through his entire life, as he never retired and continued his work until the time of his death. He was proud to always say that his work kept him young.
Paul attended Brookings High School and was an outstanding student and athlete. He was proud to play on the Brookings High School basketball team that won the South Dakota state championship in his senior year. Paul went on to attend South Dakota State University, graduating in 1953 with a degree in civil engineering. After graduation, he worked for a short time at Boeing Aviation before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was on active duty in Japan where he was an engineer, engaged in engineering intelligence related to the roads and bridges in Korea and Vietnam.
Upon returning to Brookings, Paul and his late brother John founded Moriarty Construction and later Moriarty Rentals. Paul and brothers John, Joseph, James and brother-in-law Cyril Multhauf, believing that Brookings was someplace special, had a vision for Brookings which would help lead to the growth of the town. They planned for the building of apartments, homes, commercial and industrial properties, which included some of the first government housing for low-income residents in South Dakota. That vision for Brookings continues today in the current development of the Timberline Addition, which Paul began at the age of 86.
In addition to his work, Paul had many interests including horseback riding, skiing in Colorado, driving his pontoon on Lake Campbell while wearing his captain’s hat, playing bridge with his friends, attending the SDSU football and basketball games, ballroom dancing in Sioux Falls with his wife, Doris, traveling to Europe and Hawaii, golfing at the Brookings Country Club and photography. He loved his many friends that he made through his work, hobbies and interests.
Paul was a proud SDSU alumnus and supporter of education, athletics and the arts. Paul and John took an interest in providing service to the college students by building the Campus Pharmacy and Bunny Wash‘n Dry at a time when most students did not have cars. Paul served for 54 years on SDSU’s Foundation as a board member and later as a trustee. In 2015 he received the Jerome J. Lohr Award for Volunteer Leadership from SDSU. Paul was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Thomas More Catholic Church and Rotary Club of Brookings.
While Paul’s work and hobbies kept him busy, his love for his family and faith was where his heart was rooted. Nothing brought him more pleasure than hosting family in his home on Harvey Dunn, on trail rides in the Black Hills, and ski trips in Colorado. In recent years, Paul and Doris hosted gatherings of family and friends throughout the year in their home on Lake Campbell.
His strong Catholic faith led him to always find people in need. He was very generous to his family and his community throughout his life, often helping in an anonymous manner. Paul enjoyed being able to show others how they could enrich their lives with activities that he enjoyed, always making sure everyone had a good time.
He had a quiet nature and always maintained a positive outlook on life. He never spoke an unkind word about anyone.
He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, loyalty, mentorship, faithfulness, passionate belief in education and his legacy in the Moriarty family. Paul was a special person who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents John J. and Cecilia Moriarty, brothers John Joseph, James and sister Cecilia Multhauf, stepson Marc Schumacher and nephews Gregory, Patrick and Charles Moriarty.
Paul requested that memorials be made to St. Thomas More Catholic School, 1700 Eighth St. S, Brookings SD 57006.
