Peter Murphy

Peter Murphy, 79, of Eau Claire passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. Peter was born on September 29, 1935 in Milwaukee, to Armin and Harriett (Connell) Meisenheimer. He attended Marquette University High School from 1950 to 1954 where he was an honors student and excelled in boxing. He then attended Marquette University, where he studied business and journalism. Peter was a member of the National Guard for seven years. In 1957 Peter married Janeway McCann, and together they had five children. In 1957 Peter entered into the world of radio broadcast quite by chance when a farmer assisted him with a flat tire near Hartford, WI. The farmer operated a radio station in the basement of his farmhouse, and upon hearing Peter’s “radio” voice, asked him if he was interested in a job doing on air news copy and commercial spots. Although he had minimal knowledge of radio broadcasting from his coursework at Marquette University, Peter accepted the job and thus began his career in radio broadcast, programming and advertising. From the farmhouse basement radio station, Peter went on to work as program director and morning announcer at WKTL in Sheboygan WI for a year. In 1959, Peter came to Eau Claire as program manager at WEAQ-FM radio station, and in 1961 he began a 28 year run as the host of The Party Line, a popular morning talk show featuring live listener call-ins and interviews with guests from all walks of life. Peter skillfully conducted live on-air interviews of such notable personalities as Bobby Kennedy and his sister Eunice Shriver, who were in Eau Claire campaigning for John F. Kennedy; Green Bay Packer legends Ray Nitchke, Bart Starr, and Paul Horning; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana; Senators Marv Roshell and Rod Moen; and psychic Jean Dixon. Peter especially enjoyed on-air banter with his listeners. The Party Line was a “no holds barred” show, and listeners called in to express themselves with no pretaping or built in delays. Peter’s talk show was frequently the forum for open and often contentious discussions regarding local, state, and national issues. He also used his show as a platform to promote his “Giant Killer Tiger Tomatoes”, praise the Green Bay Packers, denigrate the Minnesota Vikings, engage in phony arguments with a favored fan called “Red Eye”, and conduct countless interviews of children and seniors. Additionally, Peter’s out-of-studio stunts ranged from thrilling live broadcasts from a US Navy Blue Angels fighter jet and a hot air balloon to much less sensational broadcasts from a pontoon boat and the city dump. In 1989 Peter left the airwaves and started a new career as Marketing Director for Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. He retired from Sacred Heart Hospital in 1999 and launched his own marketing and sales consulting business. Peter always loved being a busy guy, and in his spare time he enjoyed gardening, fishing, cooking, music and spoiling his dogs. Peter is survived by his wife of 25 years, Susan; five children, Elizabeth (Andrew) Meier of Hartland, WI, Phillip (Irene) Murphy of Mission Viejo, CA, Peter Murphy Jr. of Chippewa Falls, WI, John (Laura) Murphy of Kenosha, WI and Leigh Janeway Murphy of Clarkston, MI, and their mother, Janeway Riley of Eau Claire, WI; two step-children, Jeff (Laura) Jensen of Lake Geneva, WI and Alex (Jacob) Smith of Tacoma, WA; He is further survived by 15 grandchildren, Sammy, Madeline and Frankie Meier, Ryan and Julia Murphy, Natalie, Mitchell, Caroline, Sarah and Meghan Murphy, Abigail and Olivia Murphy, and Kari, Mitchell and Kate Jensen; one brother, John (Sandi) Meisenheimer; sister-in-law, Penny Elliott; two miniature schnauzers, Fritz and Rudy; and also by nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. Peter was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Bateman; and brother-in-law, Everett Elliott. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. David Schifeling, Marshfield Clinic Cancer Care, St. Joseph’s Hospice, and the very kind staff in the Oncology Unit at Sacred Heart Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eau Claire County Humane Assocation, 3900 Old Town Hall Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54701. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave. in Eau Claire with a Prayer Vigil and sharing of memories beginning at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 p.m. - Noon, on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th St. in Eau Claire, with visitation one hour prior. Father Tom Krieg will celebrate the Mass. Interment will be at a later date in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Eau Claire. See an article in the Leader Telegram for more memories of Peter http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/front_page/article_595d0d9e-bf07-11e4-a7f0-27a608392562.html

Service Information

Cemetery

Sacred Heart Cemetery
County Rd A
Mondovi WI 54755

Visitation

Tuesday, March 3 2015
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services
814 First Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54703

Prayer Service

Tuesday, March 3 2015
6:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services
814 First Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54703

Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, March 4 2015
12:00 PM

St. James the Greater Catholic Church
2502 11th Street
Eau Claire WI 54703