REV. DR. RICHARD EARLE MURDOCH

The Rye community lost one of its spiritual and community leaders when the Rev. Dr. Richard Earle Murdoch, Senior Pastor of Rye Presbyterian Church, died after a brief but courageous battle with cancer on September 24, 2004 at NYC Medical Center with his famiy by his side. Dr. Murdoch was born June 29, 1939 in Upper Darby, PA, but had deep roots in the farm areas of Iowa, the home of his mother, Alice Estelle Mollenhoff, and South Carolina, the home of his father, Earle Cochran Mudroch. Dr.Murdoch graduated with honors from Abbeville High School in 1957, where his classmates named him "Most Likely to Succeed." In 1961, Rev. Murdoch graduated with honors from Furman University with a BA in History and minor in English. He was President of the Joint Legislature, a member of the honorary ROTC leadership group, Scabbard and Blade, and the honorary society Quaternion. Dr.Murdoch received his Masters of Divinity in 1964 and a Doctorate of Ministry and Theology in 1976 from Colgate Rochester Divinity School. After graduation he served pastorates in Pluckemin, NJ (1964-67), Corfu, NY (1967-77), Omaha, NE (1977-84), East Lansing, MI (1984-94), and Rye, NY (1994-04). He excelled in combining his love of history with theology and often used it as part of his sermons. He enjoyed every aspect of life, traveling anywhere, dancing, gardening, music and was very active in each of the communities in which he lived. In his early ministry, Dr. Murdoch was involved in the early Civil Rights movement and Fair Housing Movement and he helped to start a jail ministry at Attica Prison. Over the years, Dick served on numerous Presbytery committees and was known for his skills and wise counsel. Dr. Murdoch was a charter and clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, helping many families and individuals with personal needs. His extensive community group involvement included the board of ethics at MSU and in Rye, the Sing-Sing Prison Ministry, United Hospital chaplaincy, Samaritan Counseling Center, Boy Scouts, Rotary, and the Rye Youth Council. He was a frequent visitor and preacher at the Osborne Retirement Center. The Impact Youth Group was started by the Dr. Murdoch and his wife to provide fun and fellowship through faith based projects such as Habitat for Humanity. Dr. Murdoch's constant love, wry wit, spontaneity, generous spirit and joie de vie will be greatly missed by his wife of 38 years, Judith Strange Murdoch of Rye; Sarah Anne Murdoch of New York City, and Amy Lynn Murdoch of Rye. He is survived by his father, Earle Cochran Murdoch of Due West, SC; his brother, Lawrence Earle Murdoch of Greer, SC; his brother, Thomas Murdoch of Mahomet, IL, and several nieces and nephews. His mother, Alice, died in 1987. A Memorial Service will be held at Rye Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 2 pm. Mrs. Murdoch will hold calling hours Tuesday, October 12 through Thursday, October 14 from 6:00-7:30 pm at the library of the Rye Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions in Dr. Murdoch's name may be made to the Capital Campaign of Rye Presbyterian Church, 882 Boston Post Road, to help further the work he began.