CHARLES MCMURDO

McMURDO. The oldest living alumnus of The University of Virginia

(Engr '29) breathed his last on December 31, 2011 at 105 years of age. Charles Edward McMurdo was born in Wilsall, Mont., July 31, 1906 at Sagemore, his family's ranch. After graduating from Wilsall High School in 1924, he traveled to Charlottesville, Va., to live and work on his uncle's farm, Buena Vista. He entered UVA's pre-med course the following September. In 1925, Mr. McMurdo switched to Electrical Engineering and graduated with a postgraduate degree in 1930. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, a national honorary engineering fraternity, and was president of the Trigon Engineering Society. He was also initiated into the Raven honorary society begun in memory of Edgar Allen Poe, who was an alumnus of the University. Mr. McMurdo was awarded the Isabella Merrick Sampson Scholarship for three years in the Engineering Department, and was on the Dean's List of distinguished students since it was created in 1927, with a grade point average above 90 in all of his studies. He held an instructorship in physics at the University for two years, and an instructorship in engineering drawing for two quarters. He also taught electrical engineering at the Engineering, Science, Management War Training evening extension school of The University of Virginia during World War II. Upon graduating from UVA, Mr. McMurdo began his career as an Electrical Engineer with the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia (now Verizon) in 1930 in Richmond, Va. He retired from C&P in 1971. He was a past President of the Central Virginia Engineer's Club, a past Chairman of the Richmond section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and a past Chairman of the American Society for Quality Control. He was a registered professional engineer in Virginia. Upon arriving in Richmond, Mr. McMurdo joined The Church of the Epiphany (Episcopal) where he began his many years of service to the church, particularly in the area of Christian Education and Vestry leadership. Shortly after he became a member of Epiphany, he met his bride-to-be, Audrey Louise Curtis, at a Young Peoples Service League meeting. They were married in 1934. Mr. McMurdo served many years as a licensed lay reader and became Epiphany's first lay reader permitted to serve the cup during the celebration of the Eucharist. He also became the first President of Region 11 of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, which was formed to meet more effectively the needs of local parishes. Mr. McMurdo was predeceased by his wife, Louise Curtis McMurdo; and a son-in-law, George Elfe Fore. He is survived by two daughters, Sarah McMurdo Fore of Richmond and Mary McMurdo Griffith of Goochland; and a son, Charles Keith McMurdo of Winchester. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Harriet Tuck McMurdo; and a son-in-law, Herbert Robert Griffith; also five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Church of the Epiphany, 8000 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Va. 23228. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, contributions may be sent to the Building Fund of The Church of the Epiphany.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.