Bruce J. Murphy, D.O., Ph.D

Bruce J. Murphy, D.O., Ph.D., 57, passed away Friday, March 30, 2007 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. The funeral service will be 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4th, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines.
Dr. Murphy was born Feb. 10, 1950 and was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Ford Murphy of St. Petersburg, Florida. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, and he was a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, MA. In 1977, he received his doctorate from Louisiana State University Medical Center, and he went on to chair the Anatomy Department at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (now Des Moines University). During his time there, he was particularly proud of being the founding director of the Body Donor Program.
In 1989, he earned his medical degree at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed residency training in general surgery at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and a plastic surgery residency at University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
He began his career as a plastic surgeon in 1997, eventually opening a private practice in Des Moines, Iowa in 2001.
Dr. Murphy was inducted into Psi Sigma Alpha, the National Osteopathic Scholastic Honor Society, as a lifetime member.
Dr. Murphy was also interested in law enforcement, and he served as an officer for the New Orleans Police Department, as well as a sheriff deputy for Polk County, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Murphy; children, Jason Murphy of West Des Moines, IA, Ryan Murphy of Los Angeles, CA, Stephanie Calligan and husband Jamison, Shelley Button and husband Brad, Steve Hill and wife Heidi; grandchildren, Abigail Calligan, Steven, Hannah, Caleb, Gabriel, Brock, Bethany Button; and Ella Mae Hill. Dr. Murphy is preceded in death by his parents Mr. & Mrs. Edward Ford Murphy; and special aunt & uncle, Aunt Bert & Uncle Gene.
Immediately following services, the family invites friends and the people whose lives he touched in medicine and his many careers throughout the years to celebrate his life.
Hamilton's on Westown Parkway is in charge of arrangements.

Print

Leave message