Obituary: Herschell F. Murry
December 7, 1937 – September 21, 2026
October 3, 2026Herschell F. Murry, 88, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2026. Herschell was born on December 7, 1937, in Kansas City, to the late James and Pearl Murry, of Liberty, Missouri. Most of his youthful years were spent working on the family farm until he went to college at the University of Kansas, where he found a true love and aptitude for technical topics, eventually earning a bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in Electrical Engineering.
Herschell F. Murry, 1937-2026
His technical knowledge served him well throughout his life as he excelled in conceiving and delivering complex electronic systems for military and industrial applications. His post-graduate life began in Dallas, Texas, where he grew a flourishing career that eventually brought him to a small technology firm based in Colchester, Vermont, in the early 1990s where he worked until retirement in 2006.
Very adventurous travel was interwoven throughout his personal and professional life, having traveled to 80 countries. Those who knew him were often regaled with stories – if not about technical topics – about travel adventures spanning the globe.
Most of his Vermont life was in Waterbury, until moving to Stowe in his final years. While not a native, he took being a “Vermonter” seriously and with pride and dedicated many hours and resources to help local organizations such as the Waterbury Public Library, the Waterbury Recreation Committee, and Meals on Wheels. He was a founding member of FORWARD (Friends for Waterbury Area Recreation Development) and several others.
Herschell leaves behind two children: Debra Murry Vallo (Robert Vallo) and David Murry (Dawn Murry), as well as three grandchildren, Tyler, Olivia, and Jack, and was predeceased by his wife Joanne Novak Murry. He also was predeceased by longtime partner Freya Chaffee, and was very close to her four daughters and their spouses (Marcy and Wade, Michelle and Greg, Meredith, Phoebe) and eight grandchildren (Tucker, Madeline, Sienna, Emma, Ella, Lincoln, Teighen and Silas).
A public memorial service will be held for family and friends at 1 p.m. on Oct. 17, at The Woodlands at Stowe, 125 Thomas Lane, Stowe.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Waterbury Senior Center at wasca.org.