December 2, 1934 - April 25, 2025
Courtesy of Michaels Funeral Home and Cremation Care:
Richard D. Murphy (Dick), 90, of Elk Grove Village, IL passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 25, 2025 after a long battle with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Born on December 2, 1934 in Tarentum, PA, Dick graduated valedictorian of his high school and was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Pittsburgh. While there, he joined Theta Chi fraternity and graduated with a degree in chemical engineering. Shortly before graduation, Dick started working at the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa).
Over the course of 39 years with Alcoa, Dick started in research but found his calling as a sales manager. He lived in seven cities, including Hong Kong, moved to Chicago in 1985, traveled the world, and at one point, he sold most of the aluminum used to make cans in the US. More importantly, though, through Alcoa, Dick met the love of his life, Liz, and made countless lifelong friends.
After many years of attending church with his family, Dick converted to Catholicism in 1993. In his retirement, Dick volunteered with the St. Matthew RCIA Program with his wife, served on the Parish Council and the Religious Education Board, became a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as a Grand Knight of Hoffman-Schaumburg Council #6964. While living his faith, Dick continued to make many friends along the way.
If you asked him, Dick would tell you that his greatest roles in life were being a loving husband, supportive father, and "Bumpa," who helped with homework and sneaked candy to his grandkids as long as they gave him a piece too. He was a gentle and intelligent man, known for his warm presence and the occasional well-timed joke that could fill a room with laughter. Dick Murphy was a truly wonderful person who will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
Dick is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth, his daughter Jennifer Murphy Bertani, two grandchildren Sophia and Alexander, brothers-in-law James (Sherrie) Owens, Paul (Susan) Owens, and many beloved nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Kathryn Murphy, sisters Eleanor (Bill) Thomas, Bernice (Albert) Gunst, Carole (Edward) Hubert, and brothers Howard Jr (Evelyn) Murphy, John (Eilleen) Murphy, and Robert (Margie) Murphy.
A Visitation will be held from 9-10am on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1005 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194. A Celebration of Life Mass will then be held at 10am. Following the mass, friends and family are invited to a Memorial Luncheon at Schaumburg Golf Club, 401 Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Home Instead, Caring NP at Home, Illinois Professional Home Health, Alexian Brothers Hospital, and Alexian Brothers Hospice Residence for their tremendous support, care, and compassion.
For information, please call 847-891-2900 or visit www.michaelsfh.com. |