Murray was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or coal miner pneumoconiosis, in July 2016 and had been battling the disease since, according to Shaheen and a statement by American Consolidated Natural Resources.
A fierce supporter of coal miners and the coal industry, Murray had just announced his retirement as chairman of the board of directors of American Consolidated Natural Resources Holdings last week.
“Throughout my life in and about coal mines and in our industry, I have given all that I had to our employees and their families to sustain their family livelihoods and jobs for the hardworking people in our mining communities,” Murray said in a statement announcing his retirement.
“Fran and I have lost a dear friend. Bob and Brenda have been our friends for three decades,” Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a statement on Monday. “Bob fought through his medical challenges with the same energy, drive, guts, and faith as he approached everything in life. In any conversation we had, Bob talked about his faith in God, his love of family, and his dedication to his employees. Fran & I will deeply miss him.”