Murray J. Harpole (2011)

ALLEN, HARPOLE, HULL, JESSEN, LAHNER, OSBORN, RUDE, WILDIN

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 5/26/2011 at 21:40:57

Pioneer Press
St, Paul,Minnesota
Friday, May 20, 2011

Murray J. Harpole
Of St. Paul, MN Age 89 Passed away suddenly on May 16, 2011.

Murray was born October 31, 1921 to James Alfred and Irma Florence Wildin Harpole at their farm home near Patterson, Iowa. He attended country school and graduated from Patterson High School in 1939. Murray farmed one year with his father prior to attending Iowa State College where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 1943.

He began his career working on the Manhattan District (atomic bomb) Project. During the next 20 years he worked as a research and development engineer in the Twin Cities and was project manager on the Alvin Deep Sea Submarine. In 1966, he co-founded a company, Pentair, Inc. He managed Pentair for the next 20 years as it grew into a major manufacturing company with global operations, retiring in 1986 as Chairman Emeritus.

During his 25 retirement years, Murray's volunteer commitments to community, education, church and service were enthusiastic and sincere. As a long term supporter of higher education at Iowa State University and the University of St. Thomas, he accepted various leadership positions. Murray was a strong advocate of the Greater St. Paul YMCA and the YMCA Camp du Nord. He was a member of Rotary International, Centennial United Methodist Church of Roseville and was active on the boards of several corporations. His example encourages others to embrace hard work and service.

He was preceded in death by parents and sister, Doris Lahner.

Survived by wife of 62 years, Ruth; daughters, Kathryn (R. Joseph) Rude of Billings, MT and Janice (David) Jessen of Mendota Heights, MN; sons, Kenneth (Carolyn) of Bartlesville, OK and David (Kay) of Green Bay, WI; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Maxine Hull, Jo Ann Allen and Marilyn Osborn all of IA; brothers, Francis and Marshall both of IA, J. Merritt of TX, Stephen of WY and Brian of CO.

Memorial Service 2 PM Monday, May 23, 2011 at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 W. Country Road C2, Roseville. Visitation 5-7 PM Sunday at the Roseville Memorial Chapel, 2245 N. Hamline Ave. and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Centennial United Methodist Church Foundation. 651-631-2727

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