Rodman W. Moorhead

Rodman Wister Moorhead III, 1943–2024 A Steward of Land, Learning, and Legacy

Rodman Wister Moorhead III, a visionary investor, generous philanthropist, and devoted champion of education, conservation, and community, died on December 17, 2024. He was 81.

Rod was born in Harrods Creek, Kentucky, a suburb of Louisville and the home of the Kentucky Derby. He attended The Taft School in CT, where he was a legendary running back, team captain, and student leader, graduating in 1962. He earned a BA from Harvard College in 1966 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1968.

After early work in New York and a formative stint in Costa Rica, Rod joined E.M. Warburg & Pincus, then a young venture capital firm. Over a 30-year career, he became a general partner and managing director, helping lead the firm’s expansion from $40 million to over $15 billion in assets. He spearheaded early investments in healthcare, including Humana, U.S. Healthcare, and UnitedHealthcare—deals that defined the firm’s success.

Rod’s impact stretched far beyond finance. Aware of how much he had gained from his own education, he gave generously and led boldly. At Taft, he joined the Board in 1991 and served as Chair from 2006 to 2016. He led a transformative capital campaign, created the Moorhead Academic Center, and championed teacher support and scholarship expansion.

At Harvard, he supported the Medical School’s work in neurobiology and global health, co-chairing the Discovery Council and helping establish professorships and seed grants in memory of Paul Farmer.

A passionate conservationist, Rod served on the boards of the Stroud Water Research Center, the Brandywine Conservancy, and the Jackson Hole Land Trust. His leadership helped preserve hundreds of acres in Pennsylvania and Wyoming. The LEED Platinum-certified Moorhead Environmental Complex at Stroud stands as a testament to his vision for environmental education.

At Buttonwood Farm, Rod bred and raced steeplechase horses, including The Mean Queen, winner of the 2021 Eclipse Award. He was a devoted supporter of the Willowdale Steeplechase, the Cheshire Hunt, and countryside preservation—always combining his love of land with his belief in legacy.

Rod also championed journalism, community health, and the arts, helping strengthen institutions like ICFJ, La Comunidad Hispana, and the Brandywine Museum, where he helped add notable artists to the permanent collection.

Rod lived a full and active life—fishing, hunting, foxhunting, and exploring the world with friends and family. He had a rare ability to be both driven and warm, demanding, and generous. Those who worked with him remember his loyalty, his questions, and his courage to lead.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Alice; their sons Roddy and Clay; daughters-in-law Brooke and Jillian; and five grandchildren.

Rod’s legacy lives on in the land he preserved, the institutions he shaped, and the lives he uplifted with intellect, humor, and heart.

A celebration of Rod’s life will be held at Buttonwood Farm (361 Lambortown Road, West Grove, PA 19390) on May 8, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering gifts to one of the charities, which Rod was passionate about, such as Stroud Water Research (stroudcenter.org/support/), The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art (brandywine.org/brandywine/supporter) Jackson Hole Land Trust (jhlandtrust.org/waystogive).

Arrangements are by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Kennett Square. (484-734-8100) To view Rodman's online obituary and leave condolences for the family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com