|
William Arch Murphy, Colonel, USAF (Ret.), passed away March 19, 2007. Arch Murphy was truly a man of his time. His professional experiences in the U.S. Air Force saw him involved in some of the pivotal events of the past fifty years. A rated command pilot, Arch flew over 2500 hours in his Air Force career, including missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Tet Offensive and the Battle over Khe Sanh. Recognized as a leader within the Air Force, Arch attended both the Naval War College and the National War College, where now-Senator John McCain was a classmate. During a research trip to the Middle East in 1973, he met Anwar Sadat and Golda Meir as senior member of the team. Serving at the Pentagon, he was a part of the initial planning for what became the B-1 bomber and the F-16 fighter. Arch commanded both Bolling AFB and Andrews AFB in the metropolitan D.C. Area, and served as the Commander of the Support Unit for NATO's Armed Forces in Central Europe. He was at times a member of Air Force One's Advance Team and host to U.S. Presidents. Born July 31, 1929 in Memphis, Tennessee, Arch was raised in Fulton, Kentucky, where his loving sister, Mildred "Cissy" Roberts, still resides. He graduated with a civil engineering degree from Vanderbilt University and joined the Air Force Cadet program shortly thereafter. During flight training in Tucson, Arizona, he met and married Susan Carpenter and they enjoyed their Air Force lives and retirement together in Albuquerque until her death in 1989. Their two beloved children, Katy and Harry live with their families in California. In 1993 Arch married Shirley Seed Jennings and was delighted to add his stepchildren Chris and Janice and their families to his world. He was a devoted and loving "Gramps" to Nicolas and Grace. Arch loved to tell stories, loved Mexican food, and loved to travel. He was a very good friend to many, many people and the quality and quantity of his friends and the love he shared with his family are the true testaments to his life. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark's on the Mesa Episcopal Church, 431 Richland Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Arch's name may be sent to the Albuquerque Rescue Mission, 525 Second Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, or to the charity of your choice. Services are being entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
|
