Stuart Murphy is an energetic, community-minded Jefferson City leader, who serves on the Missouri River Regional Library Board, the YMCA Board and the Parks and Recreation Commission. 

By Claudia Schoonover

Stu (as he prefers to be called) has lived in Jefferson City since 1978 and during this time had the opportunity to direct several nonprofit organizations. For fun, he enjoys handball, golf, hiking, travel, reading and community service. He has also been a Big Brother for many years.

What are you reading right now? 

A truly interesting travelogue by Rinker Buck entitled the “Oregon Trail.” He and his brother, Nick, rode a covered wagon pulled by a pair of Missouri Mules 2000 miles, which is the length of the historic and culturally significant Oregon Trail. Great fun!

What author would you like to go out to dinner with? 

Tim Cahill, who I believe has written some of the most humorous and entertaining adventure essays ever recorded.

Fiction or nonfiction?

I predominantly read historical nonfiction, travel themes and memoirs but have promised myself to read at least one novel this summer. I need suggestions, please!

Who are some of your favorite authors? Name a few of your favorite books. 

Timothy Egan (“The Worst Hard Time,” “The Immortal Irishman”); Hampton Sides (“Blood and Thunder,” “In The Kingdom of Ice”); Bill Bryson (“In A Sunburned Country,” “The Lost Continent”); Jon Krakauer (“Into the Wild,” “Into Thin Air”).

Did you read as a kid?

No, not much, even though my dad took me weekly to the county library in the summer to hopefully indoctrinate the practice.