Murray Dashe

1942 - 2021

Murray Dashe’s incredible life began in Reading, PA, born to a beloved doctor and charitable mother on May 30, 1942. He enlisted in the US Army and rose to the rank of sergeant as an infantry squad leader concluding with the 101st Airborne Division and decorated for his service during the Vietnam War. Under the GI Bill, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Albright College and a master’s degree in industrial relations from St. Francis University. From shoe sales to CEO of a Fortune 500 company, ever the hard worker, Dashe’s career reached unimaginable levels. He was President and CEO of Cost Plus World Market until retiring in 2005. He continued serving on several boards of directors. One of our favorite photos shows dad smiling big, arms crossed, in front of the NASDAQ billboard after opening the stock exchange in 2003. Our dad had a superpower. He could spot excellence in people and make them feel it. His colleagues called him “Honest Murray,” as tough as he was funny. He balanced both with unique poise. The same man who led impressive meetings with the world’s most powerful business leaders, once busted his lip open during lunch after pretending to be a walrus with a set of chopsticks at his boardroom table. A good ‘ole fashioned inappropriate joke around the dinner table was known to send him into an uninhibited cackle. If you knew Murray, you knew that sound. He couldn’t make it through a joke without laughing at it before the punchline. The rest of us couldn’t make it through one of his jokes without laughing at him. He loved old cars and cool boats, all friendly dogs, and a loud fart machine. A fierce drive in business may only have been surpassed in emotion by the love he felt for his own children. Despite the doctor’s estimation, even in the end, he held up his commitment to his family, waiting until all made it to his room to be by his side in those precious final moments. He was 79. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Meyer and Norma Dashe. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Robin Dashe; his beloved children Courtney Turnbull, Brett Dashe, and Summer Dashe; his son-in-law, Dave Turnbull, and soon-to-be son-in-law, Jon Mayhall; his sister, Eve Matisoff; and three grandchildren who called him “Grumpy.” While this grief could buckle our knees, we stand proud now for him as he has done so many times for us. A celebration of life will be held summer 2022 near his home in Danville, CA. Donations can be made to The Kidney Project in his memory. When prompted on the donation site, memories and notes may be sent to MurphMems@gmail.com.