By PSCA President Jim Carnal
Longtime resident and former board member Ted Murphy, 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family on Sunday, reported his friend and neighbor John Prince Sr.
Murphy was best known publicly as a founding member of CALM, the California Living Museum, and the founder and director of FACT, the Facility for Animal Care and Treatment, at California State University, Bakersfield. Now defunct, the facility located in an oasis in the southeast corner of the campus, treated injured animals and birds, particularly raptors. Healed animals were released back into the wild. Others often ended up at CALM. Built from scratch in 1975, FACT was famous for its public tours and annual barbecue.
I remember Ted as a friend, mentor and neighbor. He was soft spoken and kind with a giant intellect that contrasted his diminutive size. He was a steady voice of reason on the Park Stockdale Civic Association board of directors, as I’m sure he was at CSUB, where he was a popular biology professor. He was the kind of teacher who students stayed in touch with decades later.
On his last day, Murphy “had a great afternoon at home,” Prince said. “He had been begging to go home (from the hospital) for a week. When he got home, he had a lot of friends that came over. He was very happy. Someone gave him a taste of Crown Royal. He gave hugs and kisses. It was a good day for him and everyone.”
I remember our breakfasts that he would initiate to get a peek into each other’s world back when I was a reporter at The Bakersfield Californian. But the memory that is imprinted on me is the last time I saw him on March 22.
It was nine weeks ago at a celebration of life for the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, his North Carolina high school sweetheart, Peggy Sue, 86.
It was a beautiful event at the First Congregation Church where he was surrounded by their friends and family. Ted led a saunter down Memory Lane. He told love stories and family stories and work stories, a family life anchored by a love of animals and filled with outdoor adventures that seemed larger than life. He included everyone by asking them to take the microphone and share their memories. The event lasted for hours and Ted seemingly never wanted it to end. It was a culmination of his wife’s life. And of his.
Sixty-four days later they reunited.
Ted and Peggy are survived by their son, Martin Brooks Murphy.
Ted with his wife and their son.
To deter vandalism and crime and promote community safety, the Board of Directors hired Medrano Surveillance to install surveillance cameras in the park and around the main building.
Using the high-resolution images, the directors determined the identity of two vandals and sent a representative to talk to the boy’s parents.
The park is closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. A loudspeaker on the camera warns violators, “You are under surveillance.”
Thanks to the seven volunteers who uncovered the Park Stockdale junior Olympic-size pool on Saturday.
Volunteers were board members Eli Hamm and Jim Carnal, past board member Sander Strother, resident Winston Steinke, lifeguard Ben Dement and his father, Greg, and Nick Galuska.
The pool is being prepped with chemicals for the summer season and must be certified by the City.
Ducks are the only life in the pool now. The private pool will be open for residents and their guests from noon-8 p.m. Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26). It will reopen daily on Friday, May 30, through Aug. 12 and then weekends and holidays through Labor Day.
Residents may invite two guests each with a limit of three accompanying residents with six guests.
If you need a key card for entrance, see Ana in the office 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MWF. She will be working Memorial Day. Renters need to bring ID and proof of residency such as a utility bill.
Lap swimming for residents 18 and older is available from 6 to 8 a.m. daily. No lifeguard is on duty.
T-ball 2025
Residents Tom and Kay Bell have run the spring T-ball league for more than 40 years.
T-ball is meant to introduce youngsters to team sports in a friendly atmosphere where parents are the coaches and every game ends in a tie.
This season features four teams of 15 players each ranging from 4 to 8 years old. Games are held 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Harrington Park.
Players are not limited to Park Stockdale residents. If you would like to sign your child up for next year’s season, contact Tom Bell next February: (661) 322-2801, tombell01@aol.com.
Here are some photos of the Blue Dolphins by PSCA president Jim Carnal that capture the spirit of the games.
