ANAHEIM, CA - (February 9, 2011) - Keith Murdoch, influential Anaheim City Manager from 1950-1976, has passed away.  He was 92.

Murdoch led the City of Anaheim during a time of tremendous growth and opportunity for the City.  As City Manager until his retirement on July 9, 1976, Murdoch led Anaheim’s transition from an agricultural community of 14,500 citizens to one of the most important sports, convention, tourist and industrial markets in the United States.  His vision led Anaheim to where it is today, with 349,000 residents and more than 20 million visitors each year.

“Keith Murdoch was a great leader of this city.  On behalf of the City of Anaheim, our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family,” said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait

Under Murdoch’s leadership, Anaheim became the home of one of the world’s largest tourist attractions, Disneyland; acquired the California Angels; designed and built a magnificent multi-purpose sports stadium, the Big A; conceived and constructed one of the largest convention centers in the United States; attracted more than 500 diversified industries; expanded the City from 4.3 square miles to 42 square miles through an aggressive annexation policy; and attained stature as a major metropolitan area with more than 196,400 residents and 15 million visitors each year. 

Murdoch, born on June 5, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan, received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Michigan State College.  He also studied at the Institute for Training in Municipal Management at Chicago and at the University of Southern California.  In addition, Murdoch served in the army from 1941 to 1945.  Following four years as a civil engineer for the City of Ferndale, Michigan, he became City Manager in Claremont, California. 

Murdoch, who passed away on Feb. 4, was married to his wife, Jean, for more than 70 years. They had two daughters Cheryl Eyjolfsson and Barbara Herron (Barbara passed away in 1999).  6 grandchildren Cameron Helm, Kevin Klapper, Darren Atkins, Kimberly Sittser, Kristjana Kirkpatrick and Kirsten Eyjolfsson, 11 great grandchildren: Michael Atkins, Cameron Atkins, Darren Atkins II, Percy Helm IV, Sierra Acosta, Devin Helm, Meghan Klapper, Joshua Atkins, Conlan Klapper, Nicholas Atkins and Erin Klapper.  

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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