Sprint Executive Killed In Freak Accident

• Rob Jackson
• 15 years ago

So sad. Even when you take all the precautions, like not texting when you drive, the unimaginably horrific can happen. Thomas Murphy, Sprint’s VP of Corporate Brand Marketing died near Aspen,  Colorado today when a boulder the size of a briefcase fell off a mountain, crashing through the driver’s side windshield. Murphy was driving his family home to Kansas City after a week long vacation.

Murphy played an integral part in forming the Sprint and Nascar partnernship and served as Chariman of the Sprint Foundation. Both Sprint and Nascar released statements expressing their sadness and sympathies:

“The employees of Sprint are deeply saddened on the death of Tom Murphy,” the company said in its statement. “Cheerful and enthusiastic, he was a highly effective marketing advocate for Sprint and a beloved member of Sprint’s NASCAR team.”

“First, our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family and friends,” said the statement from speedway president Jeff Boerger. “Tom’s enthusiasm and spirit will be missed not only at Kansas Speedway and in the racing community, but by everyone he touched. Tom was a leader in the Kansas City community, and this is a devastating loss to us all.”

I hate to get all gushy and sentimental, but a lot of times we write and discuss gadgets and technology as if they exist merely for our criticism. We don’t often think about the people behind the objects. Perhaps we should.

Murphy is survived by his wife (Jennifer), three sons (Ethan 11, John 8, Thomas 6) and brother, and preceded in death by his parents. I’m not sure what role – if any – Thomas Murphy would have played in marketing Sprint’s upcoming Android projects… but that doesn’t really matter. Just take this opportunity to realize how lucky you are for your life, your friends and your family.

[KansasCity.com via BoingBoing via Giz]