Kevin Robert Murphy, a decorated Army veteran and accomplished business executive, passed away on September 17, 2026 surrounded by his family. Kevin's life was one of service — to his country, his family, and the communities and businesses he built and led. He was 84.

Kevin was born on March 5, 1942, in Cohoes, New York, to Marjorie Ward Murphy and Arthur Joseph Murphy. He grew up in Cohoes and attended Cohoes High School graduating in 1959. He enrolled at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts before earning an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he studied General Engineering and graduated in June 1964. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army and completed both Ranger and Airborne schools.

Shortly after graduation, on September 5, 1964, Kevin married his best friend and lifelong companion, Joanne Maloy Howell, at El Morro Fortress in San Juan, Puerto Rico beginning a marriage that would last for the rest of his life. Kevin and Joanne recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Kevin served his country as a Field Artillery Battery Commander with the 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War, leading his battery through intense combat during an insurgency in Southeast Asia without losing a single member of his unit — a testament to his leadership and care for the men under him. For his courage and service, he was awarded two (2) Bronze Stars, one with Valor, and rose to the rank of Captain. He later served as an ROTC instructor at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, sharing his leadership and experience with a new generation of officer candidates.

Following his military service, Kevin built a distinguished 40-year career in business, rising to become a respected President and CEO across the technology, telecommunications, and software industries. In his later years, Kevin and Joanne ran Murphy Insurance Solutions that provided health and other insurance products to small companies and individuals in North San Diego County.

Colleagues remembered Kevin as an energetic and strategic leader, a builder of businesses and of people, with a sharp analytical mind and a gift for bringing cross-functional teams together around a common goal.

Kevin was always up for a new adventure and raised his family in several cities throughout the US before finally settling in Southern California. Kevin enjoyed the climate and culture of the area, where he spent the final 45 years of his life.

Kevin loved his family, golf, the New York Yankees and horse racing (not in that particular order). Kevin enjoyed watching his three sons (and grandchildren) in their various athletic pursuits and instilled in all of them a love of baseball, the Yankees in particular. Watching baseball games in various stadiums, snacking on Cracker Jacks and peanuts, enjoying seventh inning stretches and taking trips to Cooperstown are some of the memories his boys will hold on to and share with their own children. Kevin was an avid golfer and a member of Stoneridge and Shadowridge Country Clubs in San Diego, where he enjoyed the game and the company of friends on the course and in the Men’s Clubs. He was always up for a round of golf and a second 18 holes if the opportunity presented itself. Kevin also was a lifelong fan of thoroughbred racing and could be found at Del Mar Race Course in the Turf Club or at Saratoga Race Track in Saratoga Springs, New York for the August summer meet with his late parents, his brother Brian, his late Uncle Joe, his wife and sons.

Kevin is survived by his beloved wife, Joanne; his sons, Art, Brendan (wife Sherri), and Brian (wife Kellie); his ten grandchildren, who brought him great joy; his brother, Brian Murphy of Glenmont, New York; and many nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled on Friday, November 13th, 2026 at 10 am at San Rafael Parish, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive in San Diego, CA followed by interment with military honors at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA at 1:15 pm.  A Celebration of Life for Kevin will take place at Shadowridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Drive, Vista, CA from 3 to 6 pm on November 13th , 2026