Richard John Murphy
October 21, 1928 - July 10, 2019
Obituary
MADISON / MILWAUKEE-Richard “Dick” Murphy, age 90, boxed his final round on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. Born Oct. 21, 1928 in Milwaukee, he was the fourth of five children to John Maurice and Hazel (Bassett) Murphy.
Dick attended Pius XI High School in Milwaukee, where he met Janet Shurr in typing class. They were Homecoming King and Queen and were married 70 years. Dick said that his greatest win was being “Mrs. Murphy’s Husband.”
Dick excelled in sports. His storied boxing career began in 1946, when he entered the Golden Gloves under the pseudonym Patrick O’Reilly to avoid trouble from his mom. Dick had a problem when a judge recognized him because of the distinctive white streak in his hair! He went on to win overseas tournaments while serving as an Army Paratrooper in the Korean War. He boxed four years at UW Madison, winning individual and team NCAA Championships and was team captain. He also played three years of semi-pro football.
Dick was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
In 1953, Dick joined the Miller Brewing Company in marketing, which led to moves across the country before the family returned to Milwaukee in 1966. In 1976, Dick and Janet moved to Madison to open Murphy Distributing, which was sold to Frank Distributors in 1980 and where Dick worked until his “first” retirement in 1991. After a few years hunting and fishing, he joined Restaino & Bunbury as a real estate agent until 2000, when Janet retired from Our Lady Queen of Peace School.
Nothing could match the pride and love Dick had for his six children, 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He loved them equally and endlessly and instilled in them the importance of keeping your word, saving your money and remembering family is ALWAYS there for you. His advice, often in the form of a letter, was memorable. He let you know when you messed up, made you deal with the consequences, and always said he loved you.
Dick is survived by his sister, Eileen (Ed) Polzine; children, Patrick (Gerry) Murphy, Kathleen (Glenn) Pentler, Daniel Murphy, Erin (Greg) Marks and Colleen (David) Penwell; son-in-law, Ken (Kathy) Sadowski; grandchildren, Lara (Joe) Szatmary, Lisa (Brian) Kwiatkowski, Lynn (Chris) McIntyre, Luke (Ann) Sadowski, Katie (Dave) Bluestone, Tim (Jessica) Murphy, Natalie (Wes) Matthews, John (Mary), Mark (Kali) and Steven Pentler, Kelly and Jeff (Amy) Marks, and Anderley, Grace and Murphy Penwell; 27 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet, in August 2018; daughter, Jane Sadowski, in 2003; parents; in-laws; and sisters.
Dick had lifelong friends and enjoyed countless games of gin rummy at Tuesday lunch. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and huge Badgers fan.
Special thanks to the staff at All Saints Assisted Living for their care, patience and humor; the wise staff at Agrace; and loyal cousin Wendy.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are appreciated to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish or to the University of Wisconsin Boxing Club.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2019, with Monsignor Kenneth Fiedler presiding. Military rites will follow the service. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
Events
Visitation
Mon Jul 15, 2019 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church (Madison) • 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI null
Mass of Christian Burial
Mon Jul 15, 2019 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church (Madison) • 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI null
Photos
No photos of Richard have been shared yet.
Memories
GS
Gerald F. (Jerry) Stern
Other •
I have and will continue to recall memories of sharing conversations about a variety of topics with Dick Murphy during meaningful visits that evolved while son Patrick was a student at Brookfield East High School.
The value of education and the importance of having young people understand the meaning of Freedom as we know and live it was frequently discussed. Dick lived his definition of Patriotism which was reflective of his understanding that our founders and those who have contributed to the protection and preservation of Freedom as we know it, was earned.
A special thank you to Patrick and Gerry who have included me in updates about Dick's latter years.
God Bless your family.
Gerald F. (Jerry) Stern, Senior High School Principal, retired U.S. Navy Veteran
SV
Sandy Vick
Other •
Erin, you and your family have my condolences in the loss of your Father.
MM
Maureen & Jose Menendez
Other •
I remember stories of Dick Murphy as a little girl told by my father (Dwaine Dickinson) who had been a fellow boxer at the UW as well as hunting stories shared by both my mother (Donna) and father. Imagine my surprise later in life when my husband, Jose Menendez, came home with a new job as a beer salesman for Murphy Distributing working for the very Dick Murphy that was central to the family stories I had been told. Dick is a part of our family experience & history and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time however his legacy lives on in the people he has touched.
RM
Robert J. Morgan
Other •
My name is Bob Morgan and I was on the University Boxing team during the years Dick Murphy led the team in victories, encouragement and friendship.
There was no one like Dick Murphy who was not only a quiet champion, but an encouraging friend and excellent team leader.
He started and encouraged yearly reunion picnics at his home for the boxers and their loved ones so the friendships started years earlier during boxing seasons continued for many years.
I am one of those who stayed in touch through all the years and will always be proud that he called me his friend.
DB
Darlene Becker
Other •
My name is Darlene Becker. My father, Frank Lear, was a childhood friend of Dick's. They kept in touch over the years. Dad visited Dick and Janet in Madison. Dick and dad rode around in the four wheeler and got in trouble with Janet. Dad talked fondly of both Dick and Janet. I tried to get a hold of Dick in May as my dad passed away on May 3, but was not able to reach him. So sorry for the loss of both Dick and Janet. I'm not sure that Dad knew of Janet's passing last year.