Richard J. "Rich" Murphy

Richard (Rich) J. Murphy, age 93, passed away peacefully while holding hands with Donna, his loving wife of 73 years, at Waunakee Valley Senior Living on Saturday, November 9th, 2024. Rich was born on March 15th, 1931, in Madison, WI to Raymond and Blanche (Buechner) Murphy. He married the love of his life Donna Marie (Lyneis) on September 15th, 1951, in Madison, WI. 

Rich graduated from Madison West High School in Wisconsin in 1949, and then served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal from 1951 to 1953 stationed in Germany and Texas. In 1950, Rich began serving his six-year printing apprenticeship for Madison Newspapers, and upon completion in 1956, he became a journeyman printer, working at Madison Newspapers until 1965. In 1968, Rich and Donna purchased the Waunakee Tribune, publishing a weekly newspaper and shopper along with operating a print shop, until they sold it in 1981. After the sale, Rich managed a couple of print shops in Middleton and Madison, but being the entrepreneur that he was, he started R.J.’s Printing in 1987 and worked there until he retired in 1998. Alongside his printing businesses, Rich also served on the Waunakee Village Board from 1994 to 2003 and served as Village President from 2001 to 2003 in addition to being a member of the Waunakee Rotary, American Legion, and St. John’s Catholic Church.

Rich was a phenomenal writer and publisher, often adding his witful humor into his work. He would write stories about his parents, his family, his siblings, and experiences shared with his loving wife Donna. Over the years, Rich loved to spend time with Donna, and his family and friends at their cottages in Montello, Westfield, and Lake Wisconsin and their place in Venice, Florida. In addition to his involvement in local government and the time he spent volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, Rich enjoyed fishing, gardening, and playing cards. Rich’s largest passion was his family, he was not only fascinated by his family’s history and heritage, but he was very proud of the family that he and Donna built together. He cherished every moment spent with Donna, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was truly a great husband, father, brother, son, grandpa and great grandpa, and last but not least a great friend to those who had the pleasure to meet him. 

Rich (a.k.a. Gramps, Tricky) is survived by his wife of 73 years, Donna Murphy; children Linda (Howie) Schwab, Mike (Carol) Murphy, Dan (Karen) Murphy, Steve (Nedi Graf) Murphy, PJ (Michele) Murphy. His sisters, Marian Dean, Barbara Hayes, Joan Ace, Patricia Statz; 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Blanche Murphy, his brother Raymond Murphy, and great-granddaughter Grace Marie Schwab-Ziegler.

Rich’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all his friends, Dr. Ranum, Agrace Hospice Care, and the staff at Waunakee Valley Senior Living for all their loving attention and support. 

In lieu of a visitation, the Family invites you to a memorial service and military salute which will be held on Wednesday November 20th, 2024, at 11 a.m., at St John’s Catholic Church, 209 South St, Waunakee, WI. Immediately following the service, all are welcome to join the family to a celebration of Rich’s life at Rex’s Innkeeper, 301 N Century Ave, Waunakee, WI. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established by the family at a later date. 

Please share your memories of Rich by posting in his guestbook.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,

Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

- a Headstone in Ireland

Winn-Cress Funeral Home 

5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee