Robert Murphy
June 14, 1950 - April 19, 2020
Obituary
MURPHY, Robert Terrence, Billings, MT 69, passed away peacefully April 19, 2020 at St. Vincent Healthcare, after a long illness. He was born in Evanston, IL June 14, 1950, sixth in a family of nine children. He was preceded in death by parents Robert and Louise, brothers Thomas and Martin Murphy, and a sister, Patricia Ann. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Susan Arthun Murphy and five siblings: Kay Murphy, Claremont, CA, Mary Jane (Joseph) Dix, Evanston, IL, Joan (Timothy) Meskill, Seattle, WA, James (Mary) Murphy, Glenview, IL, and Richard (Elizabeth) Murphy, Bend, OR; also: Gerald (Lynne) Arthun, Seattle, WA. He was “Uncle T” to a gaggle of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and was Bob to an Arthun niece, nephew and great nephew. It is indeed a large and loving family who plainly adored him. Bob graduated from St. Francis Xavier Grade School and Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL. He is a 1972 graduate of the (now) St. Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, MN. Bob spent his entire adult life selling cars, a calling for which he had a genuine aptitude. His automotive sales career began in 1973 at a Buick dealership in Los Angeles, CA where he met his wife Susan. Eventually, they retired to Montana, settling in Roscoe where Susan had been raised. In 2017, they moved to Billings, where Bob felt fortunate to end his career in association with a rare group of friends who were like family at Bob Smith Lincoln Mercury. Bob's life was filled with family and a variety of enduring friendships. People were Bob Murphy's most valuable commodity. Personal relationships were not only his stock in trade; they were his trademark. He was a remarkable personality and he will be greatly missed. Husband. Brother. Uncle. Brother-in-Law. Treasured Friend. May he rest in peace. When circumstances permit, burial will take place in Roscoe, MT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Bob's name be sent to the Roscoe Community Center, P.O. Box 92, c/o Guy Dodge, Roscoe, MT 59071 or to St. Francis Xavier School Endowment Fund, Louise Murphy Scholarship Fund, 808 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
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Memories
KD
Kate Dix
Other •
Uncle “T” to me, his niece, a turkey or a gunkie depending on the year... he was my first introduction to The Beatles at age 7, the funniest man around when in a room with his best buddies or his brothers, a lifetime Cubs fan who could be heard screaming at the T.V. all the way in Roscoe, MT., and the biggest supporter of his many nieces and nephews... no matter what. “Baby You Can Drive My Car”... all the way to heaven.
JO
James P. O'Hare
Other •
It came with great sadness that news of T's passing arrived. While at Saint Mary's, and for some time after, he was my best friend. T was gregarious, engaging, kind, and loyal all at the same time. One is ,indeed, fortunate to cross paths with just a single such person in a lifetime. We shared many, many good times, and T was the closest thing to a brother I ever experienced. His loss is shared by so many wonderful people who will, undoubtedly, miss him as much as I do. T had a gift for surrounding himself with devoted friends, and it was a privilege to be among them. I say goodbye ,T, ...until we meet again. Jim O'Hare
BG
Barbara Gebuhr
Other •
I was so sorry to hear about Bob's death. I knew him as Terry, at St. Francis Xavier. He was one day older than I was, and one of the nicest boys in our class. He was so kind - I will always remember that. I am very sorry for your loss. Barbara Gebuhr
MD
Mary Jane Dix
Other •
He’s the one who called me “Emmy”, especially when saying something important or dear. He’s the one who always called my husband my “boyfriend” because he was smart enough to know that he still was even after 53 years. The Murphy’s are very good at getting together and celebrating a life. Very good. It is so ironic that we cannot do that right now for one of the kindest, funniest, dearest people in all the world. But we will. We will. And he will feel it all the way in heaven. where he is celebrating with so many who loved him. Love you, my brother. Emmy. ❤️