Richard Owen Murphy, 70, of Gainesville, VA died at his home with his wife and daughters by his side on Sat-urday, September 9th.
Richard was born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma on April 18, 1947 to Francis (Pat) Murphy and Charlotte Owen (Murphy) Chappell. He grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Capitol Hill High School. He went on to complete his Associates Degree at Rose State College, Oklahoma and Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociol-ogy at Regents College, NY. Richard was a graduate of the Armor Basic and Advance Courses and Command and General Staff Officers College.
Richard is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Judy, his two daughters, Stacie (Brian) Bacon, Cindy (Aa-ron) Kightlinger, his sisters Karen (Phil) Nelson, Judy (Bob) Calibani and his beloved granddaughter, Catie Ba-con; including many family and friends.
Richard joined the Army in November 1965 and began his career flying as a US Army Warrant Officer Aviator in the AH-1 Cobra helicopter in Vietnam, 1970-71. He continued his military career as a Supervisory Flight Instructor in the Oklahoma and Arizona Army National Guard (Western Army Aviation Training Site, WAATS). Richard came to Virginia in 1997 where he continued a successful military and civil service career in Environmental Compliance serving at the National Guard Bureau and the Pentagon for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (IL&E), retiring from the Army in January 2003 and Civil Service June 2009.
Colonel Murphy was awarded numerous honors and awards which included: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal with V device, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/SS, and Master Army Aviator Badge.
Richard was an avid golfer, a talented artist who loved painting pictures of sports cars, a member of the Herit-age Hunt Board of Directors, loved reading the Constitution and loved problem solving. His most cherished time was spent with this granddaughter, Catie.
Richard will be remembered for his brilliant mind, his intellectual curiosity and his commitment to remaining a lifelong learner.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Col. Richard O. Murphy to the American Cancer Society or the Gainesville Cancer Center (make checks payable to Prince William Medical Center Foundation, please include Richard’s name and NH Cancer Center on memo line.)
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
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