Leonard Mark Murphy

A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Leonard I. M. Murphy,(Murph) 87, passed away peacefully at St. Anthony Park Home on August 20, 2024. 

Leonard was born November 2, 1936 to Eleanore and Leonard L Murphy in Windom, Minnesota. He spent his formative years in Jackson, Minnesota and later in Wells, where he graduated in 1954 from Wells High School. He received a landscape architecture degree from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota in 1958. While in collage Murph joined ROTC, eventually enlisting in The Army National Guard. On September 11, 1965 he married Sonia M. Holm at St. Peters Catholic Church in Richfield, Minnesota. Together Leonard and Sonia settled in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota to raise their growing family.

Leonard worked for MnDOT for 27 years. He started with MnDOT in 1966 after gaining a few years of experience at Bachman's Nursery, then Halla's Nursery and later as a partner in Branch Nursery. Sometimes he wondered how a flatlander, born and raised in prairie country, could later become a legendary landscape architect. Murph accomplished a lot at MnDOT, particularly in the areas of landscape design, field assistance and research. He designed hundreds of miles of highway landscape projects, plus numerous headquarters and truck sites. Undoubtably the award winning Interstate 35E Parkway represents his most famous design, for which he received the Lady Bird Johnson Environmental Award. One of Murph's trademarks was his service to MnDOT districts, especially to maintenance personnel. He designed with them, implemented plantings with them and followed up with them in replacing failures and advising on landscape maintenance activity. Sometimes he even took the time in the evenings to fish with them. Murph spearheaded two large research efforts and countless observational research efforts while at MnDOT. He co-authored the research publications Landscape Planting Species Survival of 1971 and Evaluating Ground Covers For Minnesota Roadsides of 1982. When asked about how a certain species performs on roadsides, he would quickly recall past experiences with the species including the year, contractor, plant supplier, type of soil and plant performance. He was a pioneer of Native species in Minnesota.

After retirement Murph did not slow down. He decided to work for FEMA surveying and estimating damage so funds could be allotted after natural disasters. He enjoyed traveling all over the U.S. wherever he was needed. In retirement he also enjoyed running cars for dealerships throughout the metro and beyond. 

In the 70's he was active in the Jaycees of Spring Lake Park serving as treasurer. He successfully got them out of the red and into financial stability. Highlights while with the Jaycees included helping the Courage Center to build their camp and getting to design a park in Spring Lake Park called Triangle Park, which was later renamed after long time city council member and good friend John Conde. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Murphy loved the outdoors and the natural environment. Every fall he took to one of his favorite endeavors, hunting. He never missed a duck or goose opener. Hunting with the same friend, Lenny Horejsi for many decades or joining others in favorite spots. Fishing openers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota was also a highlight for him. He enjoyed several trips up there with family, neighbors and friends. On one trip he tore his Meniscus on the way in and would not let it stop him from continuing the trip. When he returned home he needed surgery.

As most know Murph was an avid collector of many things; anything Oldsmobile was his greatest passion. There was not a junk yard within the region that he had not scoured or a lead left un-investigated. In collecting what gave him the greatest satisfaction were the people he got to know and the relationships he built.

His love for his family and their care was always on his mind. He always found a way to help and if anyone needed to borrow a tool or needed aid solving something, he was eager to give his two cents. One of the greatest gifts he gave to his family and friends was a desire to protect the natural environment around all of us. He was first to pick up abandoned trash, and if he saw someone being irresponsible with theirs, he would encourage them to clean it up. While moving his kids to NYC if he saw someone throwing their trash on the street he would give them a polite lecture on why they needed to pick it up. They always seemed to listen to him, even New Yorkers. He had a kind soul that directed him. Although he was not a member, The Rotary's, Four Way Test summed up how he felt as he pointed out to his oldest daughter one day while reading it on a dedicated  bench "Is it theTRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

Leonard was preceded in death by his father Leonard L. Murphy, mother Eleanore V. Yokiel(Murphy) and step father Valentine C. Yokiel. Leonard is survived by his Loving wife, just shy of 59 years of marriage, two daughters, a son, grandson, granddaughter, extended family, friends and the coffee gang at McDonald's. To honor Leonards memory live the best life you can and do your part to make this planet better for all of us, future generations, and don't forget to plant trees!

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to one of the charities that he supported. Arbor Day foundation-www.arborday.org, Pheasants Forever-www.pheasentsforever.org, Beyond Hospice-www.BeyondHospiceMn.org

A memorial service will be held Friday Sept 6, 2024 at 1pm with visitation beginning at 12pm at Miller Funeral home and Crematory, 6210 highway 65 NE, Fridley, MN 55432. a lunch will be served after the memorial.