Richard “Murph” Murphy and Leslie Leeker Murphy did everything together in their 30 years of marriage, including fishing, hunting, archery, camping, fly fishing, scuba diving, raising bird dogs and just about every other outdoor pursuit you could imagine a Missouri couple loving. Leslie was competitive by nature and frequently challenged Murph in all outdoor pursuits, whether it be making the best shot with a bow, harvesting her limit in doves or expertly positioning a saltwater fly in front of the biggest bone fish in sight on one of their many beloved fishing expeditions.
In 2013, Leslie was heartbreakingly diagnosed with stage-four metastatic pancreatic cancer. Instead of the couple’s outdoor pursuits coming to a screeching halt as one might expect, Leslie and Murph continued to enjoy the outdoors together during her battle, helping to ease her struggles with the healing powers of nature. While fighting cancer, Leslie learned to shoot a crossbow and often practiced in their basement. Her perseverance led to becoming an incredible shot. Murph recollects how Leslie’s face would gleam with pride after repeatedly shooting bullseyes.
While reflecting on their life and love of the great outdoors, Leslie and Murph decided together that they would like to dedicate a part of their estate to help create opportunities for others to enjoy the outdoor experiences that they cherished together over their 30 years of marriage. Upon Leslie’s passing in August of 2021, after an eight-year heroic fight with cancer, Murph began researching organizations that could help continue Leslie’s legacy.
Thanks to numerous close connections to Missouri conservation, Murph reached out to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) to inquire about helping to continue Leslie’s legacy through a generous donation to youth programs. After speaking with Murph about his and Leslie’s story and their passions for the outdoors, it was agreed upon for Murph and Leslie’s donation to go toward the 2025 Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) State Archery Championship as the official trophy sponsor, honoring Leslie’s competitive side.
Trophies were awarded to the overall winners of the tournament, first through third place, male and female, as well as to first through fifth place individuals in each division, male and female, elementary, middle and high school in both bullseye and 3D and the top first through third place teams in elementary, middle and high school divisions, in bullseye and 3D. Each trophy includes the special engraving: “In loving memory of Leslie Leeker Murphy,” carrying her legacy and inspiring youth archers across the state.
“Focus. Accuracy. Integrity.” has been the tagline of the MoNASP State Archery Championship for the last few years, which couldn’t describe Leslie’s relationship with the outdoors any more perfectly, her journey with cancer and the legacy she leaves behind. MCHF is immensely grateful to Murph for selecting the State Championship as the beneficiary of their donation. Leslie’s legacy will continue both in spirit and on the shelves and school trophy cases of the numerous winners of the 2025 MoNASP State Championship, inspiring focus, accuracy and integrity, in addition to passion for outdoor sports, for years to come.
MoNASP is coordinated through MDC, MCHF, Conservation Federation of Missouri, and the National Archery in the Schools Program in partnership with more than 800 participating schools and numerous supporting organizations throughout the state. More than 83,000 student archers participate in the program and more than 200,000 Missouri students have participated since it started. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP and is an in-school program for grades 4-12 that teaches the basics of archery, along with the confidence, self-control, patience, and discipline necessary for success both behind the bow and in school and life. It provides an engaging activity that’s inclusive of nearly all children, regardless of age or physical ability. Statistics show school archery programs improve students’ school attendance, increase their self-esteem and physical activity, and help kids get outside. Student archers compete in tournaments across the state throughout the school year, competing to qualify to attend the State Championship. The MoNASP State Archery Championship is the 2nd largest state tournament in the nation.
