Long-time Murphy Warehouse head dies

Murphy

   Richard T. Murphy Sr., long-time head of Murphy Warehouse Co. in Minneapolis, died on May 1 at the age of 87.
   Murphy was the third generation to operate the family transportation and warehousing company founded in 1904. He began his formal career as a dispatcher in 1948, and at the age of 27, was named president of the company.
   He retired from day-to-day management in 1993, but continued to be active on the board and as a strategic advisor. Today, Murphy operates 11 warehouses, many on or adjacent to rail yards.
   “Richard Sr. led the Murphy companies through decades of technological and industry changes, including the deregulation of the trucking industry in the 1980s. Following that, he helped us refocus our business into related fields, including warehousing, logistics, rigging and erecting – the mainstays of our business today,” said son Richard T. Murphy Jr., president and chief executive officer for Murphy Warehouse.
   Murphy also served on the board of Shamrock Investments and was chairman of North Shore Management Board Advisory Committee.
   In addition, he held many leadership posts in the transportation industry, including president and director of Allied Distribution, Associated Warehouses, Heavy Specialized Carriers of America, Local Cartage National Conference, Minneapolis Transfermen’s Association, St. Paul Transfermen’s Association, and Minnesota Trucking Association; vice president and director of the American Trucking Association; director of the American Warehouse Association, Upper Midwest Museum of Transportation, Specialized Carriers & Riggers Association, and Metropolitan Council Transportation Advisory Board; and chairman of Specialized Carriers & Riggers Association.
   Murphy was proceeded in death by his wife Helen Duffy. He is survived by five children and nine grandchildren.