Tim Murphy, former U.S. congressman and state senator, dies at 73
Authored landmark mental health reforms
Tim Murphy, a former U.S. congressman and state senator who was a champion for mental health services, especially for veterans, has died. He was 73.
Murphy passed away on Sunday at his Upper St. Clair home of an apparent heart attack.
“Throughout his years of public service, he dedicated himself to representing his constituents and serving our country with conviction and commitment,” the Republican Committee of Allegheny County said in a post on Facebook. “We are grateful for his contributions and the lasting impact he made on his community and our nation.”
Murphy, a native of Cleveland, graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University in 1974 and earned a doctorate in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. He taught at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and later served in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps.
A clinical psychologist, Murphy entered politics in 1996 after winning a seat in the state Senate, where he served until 2003. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 18th Congressional District of Southwestern Pennsylvania in 2003, and served for nearly 15 years, until he resigned in 2017. His resignation came after disclosures that he had an extramarital affair and allegations that he had urged the woman he was involved with to seek an abortion, despite his staunch anti-abortion record.
On Sunday, condolences and statements honoring Murphy poured in.
Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman, who served as Murphy’s field director from 2003 to 2005, said the unexpected news of Murphy’s passing hit hard.
“I was devastated to hear the completely unexpected news of Congressman Tim Murphy’s passing. Twenty years ago, Tim was my boss. In the years since, he became a dear friend and one of my most influential political mentors,” Sherman said in a statement. “Tim was a true statesman who cared deeply about the people he represented. Whether you agreed with his policies or not, no one could deny his unwavering commitment to his constituents or the tireless work ethic he brought to public service every single day. He was one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known.”
Sherman credited Murphy’s mentorship for helping to shape his political career.
“He believed in me, challenged me, and helped shape both my carer and my approach to public service. His guidance, friendship, and example left a lasting impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside him,” said Sherman.
U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler said he was saddened to hear of Murphy’s death, calling him a “dear friend and a trusted mentor.”
“Tim served Pennsylvania and our nation with distinction, first as a state senator and then as a member of Congress for more than two decades. He also honorably served our country as a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he worked to care for service members suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries,” Reschenthaler said in a statement. “Throughout his career, Tim was a tireless advocate for improving our nation’s broken mental health system, preserving the 911th Airlift Wing, and standing up for our veterans. His legacy of service and dedication will not be forgotten.”
Throughout his congressional career, Murphy advocated for mental health reform.
He authored landmark mental health reforms and was the prime sponsor of the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, prompted after the 2012 school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. That act, which included a slew of changes to the country’s mental health policy, was signed into law in 2016.
“That bill was huge,” said state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, a longtime friend of Murphy’s, who was shocked to learn of his passing. “All of his work with veterans was meaningful, and he spent a lot of time visiting Walter Reed Hospital and talking with veterans. I have known him for years, and I also studied business and psychology in college, so we talked a lot about the lack of mental health facilities in Pennsylvania and ways to improve access to mental heath programs. There was a group of us, including Sen. (Devlin) Robinson and Rep. (Natalie) Mihalek, that he often texted about mental health and veterans issues, and he just texted us the other day. I will miss those conversations.”
Murphy also wrote a report on the opioid crisis, offering policy and regulatory change recommendations, and chaired nearly a dozen congressional investigations, and authored books on mental-health issues.
Murphy was a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps from 2009 to 2017.
Bartolotta said Murphy always made himself available for constituents.
“He was persistently present, visible, and accessible. He participated in as many events as he could, and it wasn’t for show. He cared about the people in his district,” said Bartolotta. “He really was an excellent representative. He did a lot in Southwestern Pennsylvania, for his constituents, the state, and the country.”
Others also expressed condolences, including Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess, who said in a social media statement that although they may not have agreed on things, “the Congressman was always accommodating and respectful when meeting with him.”
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick also praised Murphy, saying on social media, “He believed that no family should have to face a mental-health crisis alone, and he dedicated his career to making that belief a reality.”
Murphy is survived by his wife, Nan, a daughter, Bevin, and three grandchildren.