Murphy

Royse Peak Murphy, professor emeritus at Cornell, died Dec. 31 at age 98 at Cedar Hill Health Care Center in Windsor, Vt.

Murphy, with his colleagues, developed many varieties of alfalfa and forage grasses and co-authored “The Evolution of Plant Breeding: a Centennial History 1907-2006” (Cornell University Press, 2007).

Born May 2, 1914, in Norton, Kan., Murphy graduated from Kansas State College and earned a Ph.D. in plant genetics from the University of Minnesota in 1941. During World War II, he served as radar officer aboard the USS Caswell, an attack cargo ship carrying supplies to the battle of Okinawa.

Murphy joined Cornell as associate professor in 1946, became professor in 1948, served as chair of the Department of Plant Breeding (1953-1964) and dean of the faculty (1964-1967), before becoming professor emeritus in 1979. Over the course of his career, he also served as the speaker of the faculty of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and as a faculty trustee.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mildred Sneed Murphy, and one daughter. His survivors include two daughters, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial gathering will be held in Ithaca in early summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Munger/Murphy Award for Outstanding Graduate Students in Plant Breeding, Plant Breeding and Genetics Main Office, 240 Emerson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.