Robert Merle Murphy Jr.

Bob passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at the William M. Dunlap Center for Caring (hospice home) on December 10, after a week-long stay in the care of several talented and compassionate physicians and nurses of Four East at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC.

Bob was born on July 30, 1939, in Washington, D.C., to the late Margaret and Robert M. Murphy, Sr. Raised all over the country due to his father’s military service, Bob landed in Columbus, GA, during his sophomore year of high school. He graduated from Jordan High School in Columbus in 1957, and went to Auburn University on a music scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 1963. After college, Bob pursued his love of music and held jobs in band directing and instrumental instruction for about 15 years.

A management role with Radio Shack took Bob and his young family to Florida in the early 1970s, and then in 1980, transferred him to Raleigh, NC, where the family decided to put down its roots. Bob later left Radio Shack for a fulfilling 22-year career at Raleigh-based Gregory Poole Equipment Company, where he met and worked with colleagues who became dear friends.

While tending to his day job, Bob never lost sight of his passion for music. Music has always been part of his life in one way or another, whether early in his career as a band director or later playing in local musical groups. He was instrumental in establishing the Providence Baptist Church Orchestra, in which he played for 25 years. Over the years he also played in the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra, Durham Symphony Orchestra, and occasionally filled in as a contract French horn player with the North Carolina Symphony. After retirement from Gregory Poole, he began playing with the Durham Community Concert Band, served as a substitute music teacher for the Wake County Public School System, and taught private French horn lessons to several treasured students.

Bob took great pride and pleasure in international travels, including business-related trips to China and Mexico, and vacations to England, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, and his very favorite: Ireland. In addition to travel and music, one of Bob’s favorite pastimes was being with family, especially his five grandchildren, to whom he was known as Gramps.

Bob is survived by his two daughters, Lauren Murphy Grubbs, of Greensboro, NC, and Julie Murphy Hans, of Raleigh; one son, Stephen Robert Murphy, of Raleigh; five grandchildren, including Jacob Murphy Grubbs and Ryan Porter Shaney, of Greensboro; Olivia Leighton Murphy, Reagan Haley Murphy, and Isaac Cooper Murphy, of Raleigh; former wife Jane Ponder Murphy, of Raleigh; brother Eddie Murphy and wife Barbara, of Orlando, FL; sister Margaret Anne Murphy Stevenson, of Covington, GA; daughters and son in-law, several nieces and nephews, French horn students, dear friends, and his beloved German Shepherd, Fiona.

A memorial service celebrating Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, December 13, at 11 a.m., at Providence Baptist Church, 6339 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612. A visitation with family will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s memory to Providence Baptist Church of Raleigh, Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County), or to the Special Olympics, in honor of his grandson, Jacob Murphy Grubbs.