Dr. R. J. Murdoch Former Mayor Died Wed.

A Former School Board Member and Mayor. Active in Civic Affairs

30 Years In Blair

After an illness extending over several months Dr. R. J. Murdoch passed away shortly after eight o’clock Wednesday evening, September 23, at his home on Grant street and Walker Avenue, at the age of 66 years, 10 months and 15 days.

Deceased was born and reared near Ottawa, Canada, and came to Omaha where he attended the Omaha Medical college, graduating in 1898. Soon after his graduation he established a practice at Petersburg, Nebraska, and was married. Here he resided until 1905 when he took over the practice of Dr. Robinson and since that time he has continued to make this his home.

Dr. Murdoch was married twice, his first wife passing away in 1916. To this union two children, Evelyn, who teaches in a government school at Tama, Iowa, and Louis, who is employed in the Washington County Bank of Blair and one grandson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Murdoch, survive.

He was married a second time to Miss Ruth Palmer and to this union daughter, Margaret, was born.

Dr. Murdoch had a host of friends who respected him for his sterling qualities. Always a gentleman, strictly honest and broad minded coupled with a friendly outlook on life he drew friends to him.

In his civic activities he was always at the front. For years he was a member of the board of the Congregational church, to which he contributed liberally; he served as a member of the local school board and was mayor of Blair for six years, finally refusing to be a candidate.

In his private and public life Dr. Murdoch had but one aim and that was to do his duty conscientiously as he saw it and he always adhered to the principles of honesty and integrity.

He was cognizant of the fact that he could not live long before the end came and he accordingly arranged his business affairs with the same thoughtful care that has marked his life and when the end came his work was really finished.

Besides the immediate family, the wife and two daughters and one son, already mentioned, he leaves a sister residing in Canada, all of whom will always honor and revere the memory of their departed loved one.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at the Congregational church with Rev. D. A. McCullough, his old neighbor, officiating and interment will be made in the Blair cemetery.

#2-Another obituary found on Find A Grave #113828802

DR. MURDOCH, 66, FORMER MAYOR OF BLAIR, IS DEAD

Long-Tome Blair Physician Succumbed At His Home Last Evening

DEATH FOLLOWS LONG ILLNESS Born in Canada, He Began Work Here 32 Years Ago; Was City Physician, Insanity Board Member at Time of Death

Death came at 8:15 last evening to Dr. R.J. Murdoch, 66, former mayor of Blair and a practicing physician here for 32 years. Dr. Murdoch succumbed at his home, Walker avenue at Grant street, following a serious illness of several months. For five years, starting with the election of 1924, Dr. Murdoch served as Blair's chief executive member of the board of education. At the time of his death he was Blair city physician and a member of the Washington county insanity board. Born January 8, 1870, in Ottawa, Canada, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James MURDOCH. After spending the early part of his life in Ottawa, he came to Omaha to attend the University of Nebraska medical college, from which he was graduated in 1898.

TO BLAIR IN 1904

His first medical office he opened at Petersburg. In 1904 he came to Blair, and during nearly all the ensuing 32 years he had occupied the same office building, located on the grounds of his home. He had retired from practice when his illness became serious. Dr. Murdoch's first wife, whom he married in 1898, died in 1916. The following year, on October 3, he was married to Miss Ruth Palmer, daughter of a pioneer Blair couple, Dr. and Mrs. W.H. Palmer. She survives, as do the following children: Louis, now city treasurer; Evelyn, a teacher at the United States Indian school at Tama, Iowa; and Peggy, who was graduated from Blair high school last spring. Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. John Black of Rochfort Bridge, Alberta. Dr. Murdoch had for many years been a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Masonic lodge and Knights of Pythias. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:30 pm at the Congregational church. the Rev. D.A. McCullough, former Methodist pastor here and, until the day before Dr. Murdoch's death, his next-door neighbor, will officiate. Rev. McCullough is now located at Franklin. Interment will be in Blair cemetery.

#3-1 Oct., 1936 - The Enterprise

LAST RITES HELD FOR DR. R. J. MURDOCH FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Church More Than Filled With Friends of Blair Doctor Friday

Funeral services for Dr. R. J. Murdoch, who passed away at his home Wednesday of last week, were held last Friday afternoon from the Congregational church in Blair.

The church was more than filled with sorrowing friends and relatives who came to pay last tribute to a man who had been active in business and civic affairs of this community for over thirty years.

Attending the funeral in a body was the mayor and members of the Blair city council, Dr. Murdoch having served three terms as mayor of Blair.

Further honoring him were the physicians of the county, nearly all of whom were able to be present and sit in a body at the services.

Following the sermon by Rev. D. A. McCullough, a friend and neighbor of the deceased man, interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~