The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Murphy

The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Murphy passed away peacefully at home, on Thursday, January 7. He was a passionate member of the Santa Fe community, serving as rector of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church (1997 to 2011), assisting priest at Holy Faith Episcopal Church (from 2017) and chaplain to the New Mexico State Senate (since 2014).In addition, he regularly conducted services at Navajoland's Good Shepherd Mission in Fort Defiance, AZ.  He practiced Christ's teachings by working for peace, forgiveness and friendship--all with his healthy sense of humor. His ministry took him around the world to Ireland, Nicaragua and the Balkans.He was one of the founders and a faithful member of the Interfaith Leadership Alliance.  He was also a member of the Fellowship of the Society of St. John the Evangelist and the NAACP Santa Fe Branch.Prior to Santa Fe, Rev. Murphy was at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Cape Cod, MA (1988-1990) and St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in Quincy, MA (1990-1997). Throughout his priesthood he worked at various homeless shelters.He attended General Theological Seminary in New York City, where he served as chaplain at a hospital and the Seamen’s Church Institute, scrambling up Jacob's ladders to meet the various crews. Rev. Murphy took courses at the UK's Oxford University, while receiving a Doctor of Ministry in Theology of Reconciliation from The Graduate Theological Foundation in Mishawaka, IN.Prior to the priesthood, he was a probation officer in Peabody, MA (1970-1984), supervising child and domestic abuse cases.Rev. Murphy was born in New Haven, CT. He and his wife Carol (Fransen) were married on April 6, 1974. Recently, he said the secret to his long and happy marriage was “dancing every morning and having separate bathrooms.”  Rev. and Mrs. Murphy have one son, Jeremiah, married to Carrie Sipple. Carrie and Jeremiah have a daughter, Walden, and a son, Desmond. Rev. Murphy’s young grandchildren loved their “Pow-Pow.”Also, he is survived by his sister Anne Murphy, niece Kate Dwyer (Matt spouse) Dustin and Jillian, niece Mary Mattheis (Geoff spouse).  Niece Michele Fransen Conroy (Thomas spouse) and Ryan and Patrick, Nancy Fransen, Vivian Fransen (Robert Kubli spouse).Contributions may be made to the Food Bank, Church of the Holy Faith and Sierra Club.