Robert M. Murphy; Pat Rizzotto

Robert M. Murphy

Dr. Robert Milner Murphy of Murrieta, formerly of Orange, Calif. and Sumner, Iowa, died Jan. 7, 2010. He was 83.

Bob was born in Sumner, Iowa on June 6, 1926. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1943 and enrolled in the University of Iowa. In 1944 he enlisted in the Marines and was assigned to the 1st Division. He fought and was severely wounded in the Battle of Okinawa and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Bob’s continuing medical treatment for his wounds did not prevent him from marrying his college sweetheart, Zae Kvidera of Toledo, Iowa, on Sept. 16, 1945.

Upon leaving the Marines in 1946, Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in general science from the University of Iowa and a doctorate in optometrics from the Northern Illinois School of Optometry. In 1951 Bob began an optometric practice in Sumner, Iowa. In 1965, Bob and Zae and their four children moved to Orange, Calif. Bob continued to practice optometry in Orange and Anaheim until he retired in 1991.

Bob’s retirement was blemished by the untimely death of Zae in 1993. In 1997 Bob married Mardis Shively. Mardy had been Zae’s best friend throughout their childhood and her roommate at the University of Iowa. She brought continuity and great joy to the Murphy family. Bob and Mardy relocated to Murrieta in 2003.

During his years in Sumner, Bob was treasurer and a member of the choir at Sumner Methodist Church. He led Sumner’s Lions Club and Masonic Lodge. In California he was active in Rotary International and he developed new passions including house-boating on Lake Powell, camping in Baja and cruising many parts of the world.

Robert Murphy was preceded in death by his parents, J. Milner (“Doc”) and Zinita Dickman Murphy and by his wife Zae Kvidera Murphy. He is survived by wife Mardis Shively Murphy of Murrieta; two sisters, Ruth Haw of Sumner and Marian Topp of Harlingen, Texas; four children, Michael Murphy of La Cañada, Timothy Murphy of Fallbrook, Mardis Murphy Dunton of Acton, Mass., and Kevin Murphy of La Cañada. He also leaves two step-daughters, Mardy Lynn Cagwin and Chris Terrill, both of Marshalltown, Iowa; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 22 at La Cañada Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Robert M. Murphy Scholarship at the Carver School of Medicine, University of Iowa.

Pat Rizzotto

Pat Rizzotto entered eternal life on Jan. 6 at the age of 95. Pat was born in Hartford, Conn. on April 12, 1914 and came to California 85 years ago with his family.

He is survived by his loving wife Lucille, his sons Pat (Rosanne), Tom (Valerie) and by his predeceased son Bob. Pat and Lucille celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last June. They moved to La Cañada in 1949 and have resided at the same home in La Cañada for 61 years.

Pat was a vibrant part of the La Cañada community. He was past president of the La Cañada Jr. Baseball Assn. during the mid 1950s and participated in numerous civic activities. Pat and Lucille were charter members of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, attending the first mass when the church was dedicated in 1951. They have been continuous supporters of St. Bede for 60 + years.

Pat was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In addition to his three sons and their spouses he is survived by nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and dozens of nieces and nephews.

After retiring from the garment industry, Pat became a Hollywood extra and worked in hundreds of movies, TV programs and commercials for more than 20 years. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and eventually convinced his wife Lucille to join him in this post retirement activity, which they both thoroughly enjoyed.

He was a loving man — one who always had a smile on his face — and one who would do anything to help someone else. But most importantly always made you feel like you were the most important person. He will be missed by all.