War vet remembered for work at Saint Louis School
Col. Strathmore Keith "Mick" McMurdo / 1922-2006
A career soldier who served in three wars and later became a community activist in Hawaii died peacefully in his Kahala care home last week.
Col. Strathmore Keith "Mick" McMurdo, 83, died May 11 of natural causes, according to family members.
McMurdo was a paratrooper and sharpshooter in World War II, and then later a commander of the 5th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War, and also served in Vietnam.
McMurdo was also remembered by many as the Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at Saint Louis School. His students included former Circuit Judge Patrick Yim, who remembers how McMurdo tried to help him develop his "command voice" in preparation for the U.S. Naval Academy.
"He stood me on the bluff overlooking the Saint Louis athletic field and from his position down on the field, had me deliver commands so that he could judge the volume and clarity in the delivery of them," wrote Yim in an e-mail to the McMurdo family.
"I must tell you all that my thoughts of my years at Saint Louis are not only of the brothers and my fellows, but also of Col. McMurdo, whom I have always remembered, and will continue to remember, with great respect, fondness and kealoha pumehana."
In his later years, McMurdo supported his wife, Mary-Jane, who served as a state legislator for 10 years. He was also involved in several community efforts, including the Save Sandy Beach Initiative, the effort to Save Fort DeRussy and the restoration of the Waikiki Natatorium.
"We were married nearly 61 years and our marriage was a true partnership," said Mary-Jane McMurdo. "I supported his Army career and he had no ego problem in supporting my choice late in life to pursue a career in politics."
McMurdo is also survived by daughter Dahlis Day; sons, Keith and Michael; grandchildren Karen, Michael, Kirsten and Connor; nephews Rick and Mike Marshall, and Bernie Booth; and daughters-in-law Kerianne and Theresia. Services are at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hawaii Yacht Club, followed by military honors and the scattering of ashes at sea. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation.