William Rory Murphy

Dr. William Rory Murphy, 64, loving husband and father died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Rory was born on April 16, 1959, in Norwalk, CT, to parents Gerard Peter Murphy and Mary (Coghill) Murphy. He married Dr. Glynis Barbosa and together they shared thirty-eight years of loving marriage and two lovely children, Max and Amanda.

Rory graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a degree in Chemistry. He looked up to his grandfather, Dr. Robert Coghill, also lovingly known as Pop, who worked with Dr. Flemming’s team during World War II to mass produce penicillin in his laboratory in Peoria, IL. This led to Dr. Coghill receiving the Presidential Medal for Merit.  Pop had grown up in Lawrence, Kansas before going to Yale to get his doctorate. Rory therefore returned to Kansas to attend medical school at the University of Kansas. He was the President of the medical honor society and valedictorian of his medical school class. Because of his strong interests in balancing psychological and neuroscientific approaches to human behavior and in providing comprehensive approaches to treatment, he received training in both the Adult and Child psychiatry programs at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas.

In 1992, he joined the Prairie View Hospital in Newton Kansas. While at Prairie View, he developed an innovative approach where he hospitalized not only the children needing psychiatric help, but their parents or caregivers as well. He stressed the importance of treating the family with the help of counselors and therapists rather than medication alone. In 1996, he moved to Overland Park, KS and started his own private practice, Psychiatric Associates. He was a well-respected and loved psychiatrist by both his peers and patients. He also volunteered his time to serve on the Medical Alumni Board of the University of Kansas where he managed the Distinguished Medical Teaching Fund. Dr. Murphy also researched new medications in the search for effective treatment for various psychiatric disorders.

In 2009, Rory and his wife bought a farm in Baldwin City where they spent time planting different varieties of cider apples. He was instrumental in obtaining the first micro distilling license in Douglas County and hoped to produce a craft apple brandy. He spent many hours pursuing this dream. Other than farming, Rory loved to play golf, especially with his buddies at the Wolf Creek Golf Club. He also had a passion for the Gurdjieff movement and its philosophical teachings. However, most meaningful to him was participating in services at Annunciation Catholic Church in Baldwin City and saying the Rosary on Sunday with members of the church.

Rory is survived by his wife, Dr. Glynis Murphy; his mother, Mary Murphy, Salem OR; daughter, Amanda Murphy, KCMO; son, Dr. Max Murphy and his wife, Teresa and their son, Cyrus, Pittsburgh, PA.

He was preceded in death by his father Gerard Murphy and brother, Peter Murphy.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023, between 6:30pm to 8 pm at Annunciation Catholic Church in Baldwin City, KS preceded by a Rosary at 6 pm. A Catholic Mass will be held 11:00a.m., on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the same church with internment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Baldwin City KS and followed by a reception at St. Anne’s Hall at Annunciation Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Annunciation Catholic Church, Baldwin City and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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