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Melvin Jack Murdock

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Melvin Jack Murdock (1917-1971) was an engineer, scientist and philanthropist from Portland, Oregon. He was the co-founder of Tektronix, Inc. The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust was founded in 1975 with a bequest from his estate following his death.[1][2]

Background

Melvin Jack Murdock (“Jack Murdock”) was born in Portland, OR, on August 15, 1917. Upon graduating from Franklin High School, Murdock’s father offered to give him money to attend college or open a business. Murdock chose to open “Murdock Radio and Appliance Company” in 1935 in southeast Portland.[3][4][5]

In 1936, Jack Murdock began working with Howard Vollum. Murdock would serve in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. When he returned home, Murdock and Vollum formed Tektronix, Inc. with Miles Tippery, and Glenn McDowell in southeast Portland.[6][7][8]

In 1966, the University of Portland awarded Jack Murdock an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.[9]

Outside of his work, Murdock was a passionate aviator flying out of Pearson Airfield in Vancouver, Washington. His favorite plane was a Piper Super Cub and he operated a Piper aircraft distributorship in the Pacific Northwest.[10][11]

In addition to his work in technology, Jack Murdock was a committed philanthropist, contributing to a variety of community efforts through his own foundation during his lifetime.[12][13]

Tektronix, Inc.

Tektronix, Inc. would become one of the world’s largest manufacturers of oscilloscopes, as well as other electronic devices.[14][15] Jack Murdock began as the company’s Vice President and General Manager before assuming the role of Chairman of the Board in 1960. He would hold this position until his passing in 1971..[16][17]

Death and M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

Jack Murdock died on Sunday, May 16, 1971, in a plane crash on the Columbia River. According to reports, the plane lost power and overturned near Maryhill, WA. His body was never recovered, and he was declared legally deceased on June 11, 1971. He was 53 years old. Jack Murdock never married and had no immediate relatives. He left the vast majority of his estate, approximately $80 million in 1971 to a charitable foundation that would become the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust (the total fund amount would reach approximately $91 million by the time the Trust began operation in 1975).[18][19][20][21] As of January 2018, the M.J Murdock Charitable Trust has given more than $900 million in grants to organizations serving the Pacific Northwest.[22]

References

  1. ^ Jollota, Pat (2012). Legendary Locals of Vancouver, Washington. Arcadia Publishing. p. 124. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Melvin J. Murdock". Clark History. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Tektronix founder's centennial prompts ode to STEM education". Oregon Business. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Tektronix, Inc". Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  5. ^ Hewitt, Scott. "Murdock Trust: A Vancouver powerhouse of charitable giving". The Columbian. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Tektronix, Inc". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Finding Jack Murdock". Onward OHSU. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  8. ^ Hewitt, Scott. "Murdock Trust: A Vancouver powerhouse of charitable giving". The Columbian. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Honorary Degrees". University of Portland. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  10. ^ Jollota, Pat (2012). Legendary Locals of Vancouver, Washington. Arcadia Publishing. p. 124. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  11. ^ Hewitt, Scott. "Murdock Trust: A Vancouver powerhouse of charitable giving". The Columbian. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Tektronix founder's centennial prompts ode to STEM education". Oregon Business. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Finding Jack Murdock". Onward OHSU. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  14. ^ "An In-Depth Look at The Oscilloscope". Electro Rent. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Tektronix, Inc". Harvard Business School Baker Library Historical Collections: Lehman Brothers Collection - Historical Business Archive. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Tektronix founder's centennial prompts ode to STEM education". Oregon Business. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  17. ^ "Tektronix, Inc". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  18. ^ Jollota, Pat (2012). Legendary Locals of Vancouver, Washington. Arcadia Publishing. p. 124. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  19. ^ "Melvin J. Murdock". Clark History. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Tektronix, Inc". Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Finding Jack Murdock". Onward OHSU. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  22. ^ "Glendive Medical Center receives Murdock grant". Sidney Herald. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
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