Leon “Lee” A. Murphy, 94, of Bethlehem, died on May 17, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Lower Saucon Township.

Born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late John and Grace Murphy. He was the husband of the late Bertha Murphy for 70 years.

He played football at Winthrop High School where he earned the nickname “Crusher”. He earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst and a master’s degree in industrial management from Boston University. He was enrolled in classes at IBM.

He attended the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He was on active duty during both World War II and the Korean War. He was then a captain with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, for three decades, in part with training programs for new reservists.

He was a civil engineer for Bethlehem Steel’s reinforcing bar fabrication shop, Boston. He retired in 1982 after 37 years as manager of production development for the corporate headquarters, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Bethlehem. He worked in the computer development division, and applied new technologies across many of its operations. He developed interactive training videos that allowed steelworkers to individually learn skills.

He founded Quantum Improvement International Inc., and developed computer and training systems in partnership with the Ben Franklin program, Lehigh University.

He attended East Hills Moravian Church. He was treasurer of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Bethlehem.

He was a committee chairman with Boy Scout Troop 62; a member of the Masonic Lodge 283, and a district chairman with the Republican Party

He is survived by four children, John and his wife Susanna of Rio Rancho, New Mexcio; Linda and her husband Phil Cantelmi of Denver, North Carolina; Dean and Grace Miller of Maplewood, New Jersey and Leon of Bonney Lake, Washington; six grandchildren, Orion, Christian, Justin and Devin Murphy and Alex and Christina Cantelmi; and one great-grandchild, Lacey Murphy.

Contributions may be made to the Coast Guard Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT 06378.

Arrangements were made by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.