Michael John Murphy M.D.

Dr. Michael Murphy, brilliant and beloved physician, died Monday evening, June 25, 2012, at the age of 70. He was born November 18, 1941, at Fort Lewis, Washington and has lived in and loved the Yakima Valley since 1973. He attended Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, and the University of Washington for undergraduate and medical school. He interned at Los Angeles County Hospital and did residencies at Long Beach Memorial Hospital and the University of Iowa in otorhinolaryngology. His memberships included the Yakima County Medical Society, the Washington State Medical Society, American Medical Association, the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Otolaryngology Allergy, the Yakima Surgical Society, the American Cleft Palate Association, and the Alliance of Continuing Medical Education.

He participated in numerous professional boards, including being a reviewing member of the Washington State Department of Health Medical Quality Assurance Committee. It was paramount to him that high quality medical services be provided in our community.

Community service was his passion. The Boy Scouts took him all over the world to encourage youth to commit to a life of quality citizenry. He was a two-time president of the Grand Columbia Council. He also served on the Western Region Board. In 2006, he became a member of the World Scouting Foundation – Baden Powell. He received Boy Scouts of America awards including: District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver award, the Silver Antelope award, the Centennial Leadership Award, and the Cliff Dochterman Community Service Award.

He was committed to Service Above Self through Yakima Rotary as a member since 1976. He had the great honor of presiding as President of Rotary in 2001-2002.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Diane Murphy, and his children, Shawn Murphy and Megan Murphy, all of Yakima. He is also survived by his siblings: Mary Ann Murphy, Irene Matlock and Helen Matlock, all of Spokane, Kathleen Matlock of Port Townsend, Bonnie Francis of Menlo Park, California, and Skipper Matlock of Bellevue.

With heartfelt thanks from Dr. Murphy to Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center: Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital; the physicians, staff, and volunteers of North Star Lodge, and especially the loyalty of friends.

A Memorial Celebration will be held at the Capitol Theatre on July 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions are requested to the North Star Lodge through the Memorial Foundation or the Boy Scouts of America Grand Columbia Council c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902.

To share a memory, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.