Lawrence R. Murphy

Lawrence “Larry” Murphy, 81, of Niwot, Colorado passed away peacefully on November 19, 2024. He was born to William (Bill) and Jospehine Murphy on April 24, 1943 in Gary Indiana. Larry grew up in Coal City, Illinois and in high school received his Ham Radio License with call letters, N0BA. Larry would string antennas all over his parent’s yard and this passion led him to the University of Illinois where he obtained a masters degree in Electrical Engineering.

Larry married Patricia, “Pat” Gunderson and settled in Niwot, Colorado in 1972 where they raised their family. Larry had a successful 33 years as “4090 Murphy,” with Ball Aerospace in Boulder. He was a staff consultant designing RF communications systems, command and telemetry and antenna systems including projects such as Harpoon Antenna, Seasat, Earth Radiation Budget Satellite and Deep Impact. Deep Impact was his final project to which his report in Mission Control that “We lost the signal” noted to mission success and was followed by cheers from the control room as the satellite had successfully impacted the comet. Outside work, Larry was the silent support system and volunteer for many Niwot Community events, moving grills, gathering pumpkins, and putting up signs, tables, and chairs. Larry also enjoyed filling the yard on Comanche with fruit trees and antennas. He could be found with his son and Niwot Boy Scout Troup 161 on canoe trips, cutting fire wood for a scout fundraiser or as an assistant coach to his daughter’s softball teams. Larry was often seen around town driving his old green truck, the 67 Mustang convertible he restored, the special edition green Mustang convertible and later his burgandy Corvette convertible.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Dennis Murphy, and granddaughter, Hadley Littell. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, his children, John (Jill) Murphy, Erin (Tom) Albregts, and Tara (Drew) Littell, grandchildren Blake, Payton, Liam, Harper, and Hudson and his siblings Tom (Tina) Murphy, Rita (Jack) Hummel and Bill Murphy and dear sister and brother in law Sue and Bob Suddick.

His funeral mass service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Longmont, Colorado, Friday December 6th at 10:30 am, with a reception following. He will be buried at Golden Cemetary in Golden, Colorado. A live stream of the mass can be found at https://youtube.com/live/MOS7gWcM74A?feature=share