Link McKinley Murphy MD

1893-1976

Inducted: 2024

“Dr. Link” moved to Upper Arlington in 1928 and brought his medical practice here in 1961. In his early years as a physician, he could be found most mornings at the hospital providing anesthesia. His afternoons — and often his evenings — were spent making house calls to tend to his patients, exuding a bedside manner that made everyone feel they were the most important person in the world.

He was a founding member of the Upper Arlington Civic Association, formed in 1933, serving as parade chairmen from 1933-35. He led the creation of and was the flag bearer for the Spirit of ‘76 fife and drum unit — a now fourth-generation tradition that leads the Fourth of July parade.

Many people referred to Dr. Murphy as Mr. Upper Arlington. When the high school built a new football stadium on Zollinger Road, he served as fundraising chair, raising the equivalent of $500,000 to help fund the project. He loved college and high school athletics.

Dr. Link was a graduate of OSU, helped conceive of First Community Village serving as its first medical director, and served as chair of the medical staff at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He also traveled to Africa and India with his friend, John Galbreath, spending his free time visiting with and treating local villagers.

A dedicated family man, Dr. Link and his wife Martha were the proud parents of two children and grandparents to six children. He loved this community.