Stuart W. Murray

**courtesy post**

Stuart W. “Stu” Murray, 79, of suburban Nashville, passed away on Monday, Mar. 29, 2021.

Mr. Murray was born Aug. 29, 1941, in Rhinebeck, N.Y., to Jeanette Robinson Murray and Richard C. Murray. He was reared and attended school in Rhinebeck. He was graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the State University of New York. On graduation he began a lifelong career dedicated to the road building industry.

Mr. Murray began working for construction equipment manufacturer CMI Corp., Oklahoma City, in the 1970s. Beginning in CMI's Service Department, he ultimately rose to the position of Vice President of Marketing and New Product Development before leaving CMI in 1991.
That year he joined another construction equipment manufacturer, Wirtgen America Inc., Antioch, Tenn., as president and CEO. He was hired by Reinhard Wirtgen, founder of the German road building equipment firm Wirtgen GmbH, Windhagen, Germany, to take Wirtgen’s North American operations to the next level.

Mr. Murray's vision molded the dynamic firm of today, which serves customers from coast-to-coast with innovative, technologically advanced road building equipment, dominates its market segments, and sets the pace for competitors within North America and from around the world. His vision, plan and design was responsible for the establishment of the Wirtgen America North American headquarters facility in suburban Nashville, dedicated in February, 2001, as well as the subsequent building of a state-of-the-art training facility on the Nashville campus.

Mr. Murray had a great love of all things “racing." His particular favorites were Sprint car racing and NASCAR. He participated in and sponsored numerous Sprint car racing teams while employed by Wirtgen America, finding it a good way to interface with customers and their families. Mr. Murray retired in 2008.

Mr. Murray is survived by his wife, Connie; daughter, Kirstin King of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; stepdaughter, Sandy (Greg) Draper of Lebanon, Tenn.; stepson, Richard Rogers of California; and four grandchildren, Nina, Dominic, Sophia and Lilly Rogers of Edmond, Okla. He also leaves behind two beloved miniature schnauzers, Jackie and Bandit.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements will be announced when finalized.

In lieu of flowers, family is requesting contributions be sent to Mr. Murray's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Hospital.
 

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