Rick Murray

CDR Richard "Rick" Murray, USN (ret.) passed away peacefully June 13, 2007, at his home in Jacksonville, FL, after a valiant nine year struggle with Lou Gehrig's disease/ALS.  He was born January 15, 1941, in Philadelphia, PA, and graduated from Colgate University in 1962.

 

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sherry, three children--Allison Hastie, Scott and Mark Murray--and five grandchildren.

 

Rick proudly served in the US Navy as a Naval flight officer, earning his "wings of gold" in 1965; his Naval career began at the Pentagon and ended 25 years later at the US Naval Academy.  He was buried September 5 with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

A patriot, pilot, sailor, sports fanatic, world traveler and amateur musician, Rick lived life to its fullest, even after his ALS diagnosis.  He often spoke at fund raising events for ALSA and MDA, his primary goal being to inspire others to fight as he did.  Shortly before his death, he wrote an inspirational book,

Rick's Reflections.