Lee E. Murch

1934 - 2025

Lee E. Murch, of Chesapeake City, MD and formerly of Hockessin, DE, passed away on September 24, 2025, at the age of 91. He was predeceased in 2009 by the love of his life, Barbara Folsom Murch, wife of 44 years.

Born on July 28, 1934, in Lewiston, Maine, Lee was the son of the late Josephine and Percy E. Murch. He spent his childhood in South Paris, ME. He graduated from the University of Maine with his B.S. in Engineering Physics in 1956 as highest-ranking Engineering student. He went on to earn his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley where he received his Ph. D. in Physical Chemistry.

He was a proud DuPont employee for 30 years in Research and Development of Plastics and Fibers where he would go on to author several patents and publications during his time there.

Lee and Barb settled in Hockessin, DE and raised 4 children together in Gateway Farms for 38 years. He was a dedicated member of the Greater Hockessin Area Development Association (GHADA), the Friends of Hockessin Library and cochairman of the Hockessin Bicentennial Committee where he helped organize the 200th anniversary of the United States. He was very active in local corn boils and memorials where his love of patriotism, the 4th of July, and country shone, and he passed out countless glasses of Folsom Punch through the years.

After retirement, Lee and his wife moved permanently to Hollywood Beach where they continued to stay active in the community. He lived there as a summer resident and then permanently for a total of 54 years.

When he was not traveling the world, Lee could always be found watching the sunset from his front porch.

In addition to his wife and parents, Lee was predeceased by his brother B. Dean Murch of Massachusetts and his sister Nathalie Varney of North Carolina. Lee is remembered by his four children - Patricia Murch Derick (Dan) of Newark, DE, John Murch of Cape Coral, FL, Karen Marshall (Ed) of Milford, DE, and Susan Murch Marryott (Tom) of Annapolis, MD; five grandchildren - Erin, Meghan, Catherine, Brendan and Patrick - and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the R.T. Foard Funeral Home, 318 George Street, Chesapeake City, MD. Visitation with the family will be from 11:00am to 12:30pm, with a celebration of life and burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Cecil County Animal Services (Chesapeake City, MD), Faithful Friends Animal Society (New Castle, DE) or your local animal shelter in honor of Lee and Abby, his beloved black lab and friend whom he rescued and who, in turn, rescued him.