David Keel

Susan "Sue" (Murphy) Hamburger was born in February 22, 1949 in Newark, New Jersey. She passed away on December 29, 2022 after a very sudden decline in her health. Susan was only 73 years of age.

Susan is survived by her loving partner Neil Stover, her brother Frank Murphy and his wife Pat and their children, cousin William Murphy, her three cats Virginia, Clarence "CC" Clemons and Gracie and many loyal friends and extended family members. Susan was predeceased by her father Francis Murphy and mother Mildred Murphy. Neil and Susan originally met in middle school in Middletown, New Jersey, but their lives took them on different paths until many years later in their 60s when they reconnected and chose each other as life partners.

Susan studied English at Rutgers University graduating in 1975. In 1976, she earned her Master’s in Legal Studies also at Rutgers. In 1981, Susan moved to Tallahassee, Florida and began working at Florida State University as an Associate University Librarian, where she also received a Master’s in Historical Administration in 1985. From 1988 to 1994, Susan lived in Virginia working an Archivist at Virginia State Library and Archives followed by Manuscripts Cataloger at the University of Virginia and the Virginia Historical Society. She received her Doctorate of American History from Florida State University in 1995 while working at Penn State University as a Manuscripts Cataloging Librarian where she continued to work for 20 years. She was a published author. She was awarded the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference Distinguished Service Award in 2015 for her significant contributions to the success of MARAC and contributions to the archival profession. Most recently, Susan was a part-time Research Assistant at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

In 1994, Susan moved to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. She bought her first home in 2000, reconnected with Neil in 2011 and learned to ride a motorcycle in 2013. A lover of life and new experiences, she said, "I finally got my ears pierced the day before my 61st birthday! And just after my 63rd, Neil bought me my first motorcycle." Sue was an avid kayaker and steward of the environment. In 2022 alone, Susan was a Florida Master Naturalist and President of the Florida Chapter, was on the Fort Pierce County Parks Commission, was Treasurer of the Friends of Savannas Preserve State Park and took local water samples for the county. To merely say that Sue cared deeply for the earth and the creatures that inhabit it would be an understatement, as she proved this day in and day out through countless hours in the field-- counting local bird populations, cleaning up Florida's precious ecosystems by measuring and reporting garbage she collected, or by guiding visitors on educational tours through the local rivers and parks. When not out in nature, Sue could be found at rock and roll concerts with friends and Neil or listening to Bruce Springsteen in her home surrounded by pink flamingos. In addition to her passion for music and dancing, Sue liked to tend to her organic garden, read, hike, and feed the stray cats in the neighborhood (like Jasmine, Pumpkin and Socks, among others) who thought of her front porch as their own personal diner.

Even at the end she found a way to smile and laugh, by mooning Neil in her hospital gown as he followed her down the hall. Sue will be remembered for her wild hair, her wild laugh and her fervor for life and all its opportunity. We love you Sue.

A memorial for Sue will be held in the spring and we will notify all friends and family.