Elmer was a resident of Granite Farms Estates, Wawa, PA for the past 21 years, after retiring from a long career in the Insurance Industry. Starting in 1931 in the mailroom at Keystone Insurance Co., he retired 43 years later as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Keystone Insurance. Four months later, he accepted the position of Managing Secretary of the Pennsylvania Insurance Guaranty Association. During this time he also served as a consultant to the Pennsylvania Life and Health Guaranty Association. He retired from his 2nd career 12 years later at age 74.

While at Granite Farms Estates, Elmer remained active, working on several important projects for the retirement community residents. He worked with both the Administration of Granite Farms and the management of Suburban Cable to bring cable TV to the Granite Farms residents under a group contract, resulting in a 50% monthly savings for the residents compared to the individual subscription rate. He was one of the founders of the Area Council of Life Care Communities whose purpose has been the exchange of information among the 15 communities making up its membership, and continued as the Granite Farms permanent member on the council. Elmer was the driving force and co-chair of the Granite Farms committee that raised over $40,000 to buy a Steinway piano. The committee established the "Steinway Programs", a concert series featuring Philadelphia area musicians. Over 80 concerts have been performed in the program series. Elmer also established the Wall Street Group to discuss matters of financial interest to the residents, and carefully selected the speakers on topics which were of interest to the group. Elmer has always been interested in woodworking and was Secretary of the Granite Farms Wood Shop for many years. Family members and select friends are proud owners of unique objects Elmer created in the Wood Shop.

Elmer and Loretta lived in Springfield (DelCo) for 37 years where they raised their two children. Elmer served the community as Secretary of the Springfield Township School Authority, and as a Township Pension Trustee. The Murphy's were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, where Elmer served as an Elder, a Trustee and Clerk of Sessions. He also served as First vice Moderator on the Philadelphia Presbytery.

During World War II, Elmer enlisted and served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service as a Special Agent in the Counter Intelligence Corps assigned to the Manhattan Project under the command of General Leslie R. Groves.

Elmer is survived by Loretta, his beloved wife of 67 years, his daughter and son-in-Law, Carol-Anne and Richard Hill of West Chester, PA, and his son Bud Murphy of San Francisco, CA.

Funeral services are private. A Memorial Service celebrating Elmer's life is being planned and will take place at Granite Farms Estates in the near future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Samaritan Fund at Granite Farms Estates, 1343 W. Baltimore Pike, Wawa, PA 19063.