Dean Emeritus Dr. Fred Murphy, Jr. Passes Away
Note: This obituary is taken from Dr. Murphy's son John's LinkedIn post.
Dr. Frederick Augustus Murphy, Jr., passed away at the age of 92 on June 23, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, surrounded by loved ones.
Fred was the devoted husband of Irene May Warwas Murphy of Cuero, Texas, whom he married in 1960. Together they shared 40 years of marriage before Irene's passing in 2000. He is survived by their four sons: Rick (Frederick A. Murphy III), Tim (William Timothy Murphy), John (John Godias Murphy), and Terence (Terence David Murphy); their wives Robin, Kelley, Mary Margaret, and Michelle; five beloved grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, colleagues, and former students around the world.
Dr. Murphy was one of the world's leading virologists and a pioneer in modern public health. His research advanced scientific understanding of rabies, Ebola, Marburg, and many other viruses. He served as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Infectious Diseases, Dean of the (now called) Weill School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, and later Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Over his career he authored more than 500 scientific papers, chaired international virology conferences, edited the prestigious Archives of Virology, and was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine. Late in his career he focused on raising national and international awareness of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases as well as mentoring younger scientists.
More than any professional accomplishment, however, he treasured his marriage to Irene. He described the events around their courtship and marriage—which came while he was serving in the U.S. Army in San Antonio—as nothing short of a miracle. Together they built a warm and loving home centered on family, education, and adventure. Their sons grew up camping in national parks across North America, exploring museums and historical sites, and learning from parents whose greatest joy was discovering the world together.
Born in New York City on June 14, 1934, Fred grew up in a household of modest means. His father, Fred Sr., was a welder who worked long hours building naval vessels during World War II, and his mother Louise kept a loving home for their three children. Fred attended Cornell University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology in 1957 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1959. Following service as a Captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, he earned a Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology from the University of California, Davis.
In 1964 the young family moved to Atlanta, where Fred began what would become three decades of leadership and research at the Centers for Disease Control. There he combined pioneering laboratory investigations with public service, helping scientists understand some of the world's most dangerous viral diseases.
His work produced the first electron microscope images of the Ebola virus (as described in The Hot Zone and shown in photo of Fred above), advancing understanding of rabies and viral hemorrhagic fevers, and helped shape the modern scientific classification of viruses.
In 1978 the family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where Fred served as Associate Dean at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences before returning to CDC in 1983 and eventually becoming Director of the National Center for Infectious Diseases. In 1991 he became Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, where he guided the school through a period of significant growth and cemented its stellar reputation. After moving to Galveston in 2005, he continued teaching, writing and mentoring at the University of Texas Medical Branch until his retirement. In 2015, he moved to Bethesda, Maryland, where he enjoyed spending his final years close to two of his sons, their wives, and young grandchildren.
Science brought Fred and Irene friendships that spanned the globe. Collaborators from Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, and many other countries became lifelong friends. A sabbatical year in Australia during 1970-71 took the family on an unforgettable journey around the world, and throughout their lives Fred and Irene delighted in welcoming international visitors into their home.
Photography was another lifelong passion. Beginning with a basement darkroom his father built during his youth, Fred developed an exceptional eye for both artistic and scientific images. His photographs documented family adventures, wildlife, landscapes, and the microscopic world of viruses. His scientific images were exhibited publicly, including at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, and late in life he combined decades of photography and scholarship in Foundations of Virology (Second Edition 2024), a richly illustrated history of the field that reflected his lifelong fascination with both science and beauty.
A man of boundless curiosity, Fred's interests spanned the universe. He was generous with his time, devoted to teaching, and deeply optimistic about humanity's ability to solve difficult proglems through knowledge, cooperation, and compassion. Above all, he loved his family and remained profoundly grateful for the life he shared with Irene.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Catholic Relief Services or Habitat for Humanity; organizations whose missions reflected commitment to improving the lives of others.