Albert J. (Bud) Murphy Jr. 1939

Albert J. (Bud) Murphy Jr. 1939

Induction: February 16, 1981
Born: October 21, 1914; Died: July 12, 2001

AJ “Bud” Murphy was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. He attended Penn State during the height of the Great Depression, but was still able to focus on the two great interests of his professional life- his Fraternity and his love of learning- specifically in leadership training and business administration.

After graduating in 1938, he worked for Delta Tau Delta as a field agent building houses and advising Fraternity members. This early experience built a benchmark of professional administrative roles, eventually leading to his employment as Dean of Men at Carnegie Technical School (now Carnegie Mellon University ) in 1940. While serving in this position he met and fell in love with Betty Stapels, who in May, 1941, would become Betty Murphy, his wife of 60 years.

At the outbreak of World War II, Bud volunteered for duty with the United States Marine Corps, but because of a medical disability was not accepted. Wanting to do his part, he accepted a position as an administrator on a top secret project based out of New York City. This “Manhattan Project” would take Bud to Oakridge, TN, and eventually lead to the development of the atomic bomb and the end of the war in the Pacific.

After the war, Bud, Betty, and their two children settled in Pittsburgh, where Bud had a job with the Westinghouse Electric Company. In his 35 years with the company he traveled across the country and globe building leadership seminars for executive education. For his efforts and because of a distinguished career he was awarded the Westinghouse Order of Merit upon his retirement in 1976.

Bud and Betty decided to build a farmhouse overlooking Lake Arthur in Butler County, PA. In this idyllic setting Bud remained active with his Fraternity, Butler Rotary, and at Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder. He worked his farm until the day he died.

Bud is best remembered as a strong, intelligent gentleman who was always the life of any party, yet remained a family patriarch. He is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Albert J. Murphy III and his wife, Laurel and Judith Murphy Isherwood and her husband, Jack; and four grandchildren.