Robert Murney

Dr. Robert James Murney passed away in his home surrounded by his family, on June 29, 2005. Robert was born on November 26, 1925, in Springfield, Missouri, the youngest of four boys born to William B. Murney and Genevieve Glynn Murney. He attended St. Agnes School and shortly after his graduation from high school, Robert enlisted in the navy and fought in World War II on the USS Missouri. He returned to Missouri after the war, attended St. Louis University where he received a B.S. in psychology, before completing his masters of arts and doctor of philosophy in clinical psychology at the Catholic University of America. After completing his practicum and internship at the Veterans Administration Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital at Perry Point, Maryland, he served as the chief psychologist at Children's Center in Laurel, Maryland. He later became the Coordinator of Clinical Psychological Services at the VA Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Perry Point, Maryland, before moving back to Springfield, Missouri, in 1962 where he was named Chief Psychologist for the United States Federal Medical Center.

Robert was a practicing clinical psychologist in Springfield for over 40 years. During those years, he served as a consultant to the St. John's School of Nursing. He was affiliated with St. John's Marion Center and served as a consultant for the Springfield Public School System, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and Hammons Heart Institute. In his tenure at the Springfield School System, he pioneered the teaching and learning of developmentally disabled children. Most recently, he was a core faculty member at Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri where he both instructed and supervised students. In October 2004, the Forest Institute recognized Robert's contributions when they renamed their clinic, the Robert J. Murney Clinic and established a scholarship in his name.

Robert was an active member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He was a life-long supporter of Springfield Catholic Schools. He was an ardent fan of the Southwest Missouri State Bears men's basketball team and a member of the Diamond Papa Bears at Southwest Missouri State University.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Genevieve; his first wife, Lucy Elizabeth Diciaula Murney; his brothers, Joseph and Richard; his brother-in-law, Paul Lambert, Jr.. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna Mae Lambert Murney; their children, Kathleen Murney of Springfield; Robert Murney, Jr. and his wife, Jane, of Minneapolis; Laura Murney and husband, Ron Roper of Springfield; Joanne Murney of Lincoln, Nebraska; Patrick Murney of Springfield; Allison Briner of NYC, New York; Alan Runge and wife Traci of Columbia, South Carolina; Andrew Runge and his wife, Michelle of Springfield; Paula Voris and her husband, Tony of Springfield; grandchildren, Michael, Katie, Matt, Julia, Lauren, Julia, Alec, Wade, and Drew; brother William B. Murney, Jr, of Tuscon, Arizona.; sister-in-law, Betty Murney; brothers-in-law Dennis E. Lambert; Daniel M. and Carolyn Lambert; sister-in-law, Carol and Jim Spence; niece Mary Beth O'Reilly and husband Charlie and their children and families, Patrick and Robin O'Reilly, Tim and Brooke O'Reilly, and Ryan O'Reilly.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 1, from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service to follow at the Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street in Springfield. Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, July 2, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2818 E. Bennett in Springfield.

The family would like to thank Community Hospices of America and Integrity Home Health Care for their professional and compassionate care, and especially for the loving and supportive help of nurses Nikki, Robin, and Stephanie.