Robert Lawrence Murphy

December 10, 1926 - March 1, 2019

Robert L. Murphy TRAVERSE CITY – Robert Lawrence Murphy, 92, of Old Mission Peninsula passed away on March 1, 2019 with his family by his side. Bob was born December 10, 1926 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Eugene and Marie (Ankli) Murphy. Bob graduated from St. Johns Catholic School in 1945, and was a member of the St. Johns varsity basketball state champions in 1944. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1951. He served in World War II in the U.S. Army for two years, then went on to a long career in the Department of Corrections and received the Law Day, Liberty Bell award from Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Antrim County Bar Association in 1985. Robert married Mary Lou (Burg) in 1949, who preceded him in death. Surviving Robert is his brother Charles Murphy, his four children; Debra (Rob) Holt, Robert M. Murphy, Kerry (Kathy) Murphy, and Karen (Steven) Nichols, nine grandchildren; Otis Hart, Anna Bouton, Chelsea DeCarlos, Shawn Murphy, Eric Murphy, Sara Murphy, Erin Segur, Daniel Murphy, and Meghan Nichols, and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and brothers, Richard Murphy and James Murphy. His personal interests included boating, fishing, swimming laps at the civic center pool, golf, reading, cross word puzzles, and especially cribbage. He will be remembered by his sense of humor. At Bob’s request a private family service will be held and burial will be at Ogdensburg Cemetery on Old Mission Peninsula.