Rick Joseph Murray

    It is with great sadness that we announce that Rick Murray, age 69, passed away in his own home in Sun Lakes, AZ on Thursday, January 16, 2020. He was the loving husband of Linda Murray for 44 years and will be forever missed by his family and many friends.
Rick and Linda have been on Lower Turtle Lake since 1991 but raised their family in Apple Valley, MN. Rick was president of the Lower Turtle Lake District for 14 years. Summers were spent in Turtle Lake, WI, where his passion was to maintain his property with his favorite toys: a tractor and large riding lawnmower. He was always ready to help a friend with this equipment.
Rick was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 26, 1950. He also grew up in Indianapolis, IN, and Chicago, IL. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1972 and was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.  He was also active as alumni in the Minnesota chapter of DU. He earned an MBA at St. Thomas University and later a Master’s in Psychology at Adler.
Rick started his career in business with Phillips Petroleum and later Digital Equipment and Control Data. His final and favorite job was as a professor of psychology at Brown College, where his students loved him for his interesting stories and keen wit. He was an interesting, gifted teacher, and his students voted him “Teacher of the Year.” He was active in community theater in Burnsville, Lakeville, and Prior Lake, MN. Rick retired in 2011 and started spending summers in Turtle Lake and winters in Sun Lakes, AZ.  He had a beautiful tenor voice and loved performing karaoke with his many friends. He loved young people and children, especially his grandson Jace. He loved the pure hearts of children, and they adored him. Any child would quickly find out that Rick was the guy they wanted to hang out with.
It didn’t matter how old they were. He could get down to their level and entertain them like no other. At a gathering with adults and children, you would undoubtedly find Rick with the kids.
He is survived by Linda Murray (wife), Ryan Murray (son) Cathi (daughter-in-law), and Jace (grandson), Nick Murray (son), and Melissa Murray (daughter). He is survived by his mother, Rose Marie Murray(now deceased), Diana Hopf (sister), Deb Lamont (sister), Ron Murray (brother), and Rob Murray (brother).
The family will honor Rick with a memorial gathering at his home in Turtle Lake, WI, on Saturday, July 18, 2020, 4:00 pm.