Robert Thomas Murphy

Bob lived a selfless, humble life of dedicated service to his family, local community and country.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 24, 1932, to Cecil Thomas Murphy of Chelsea, Michigan and Agnes Francis (Tutt) Murphy of Florence, Ontario. He was the eldest of three boys and loved his brothers dearly. During his grade school years, he moved with his family around the Thumb region of Michigan, landing in Emmett for his later high school years. He was a graduate of Yale High School in Yale, Michigan in 1951. Although he did not attend college, he liked to tease people that he went to “Yale.”

From 1952 to 1954, Bob served in combat in the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry “Tropic Lightning” Division. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1954 to 1961. Upon returning home from Korea, he built a home for his parents in Pinckney, Michigan where they resided for the rest of their lives.

Bob settled in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area and married Karen Ann Bollen of Pinckney, Michigan – his wife of nearly 64 years – in 1961. He and Karen loved to spend time with their daughter, her husband and two granddaughters and their many dear friends and neighbors over the years. He treasured his relationships with the Au Pairs who helped care for his granddaughters when they were young, seeing them as bonus daughters. A special recent memory is when the Au Pairs traveled from Spain, France, and Germany to surprise him for his 90th birthday.

Robert’s passion for serving others drew him to an emergency rescue and firefighting career. His first experience was as a volunteer firefighter during high school. In 1955, he joined the Ann Arbor Fire Department. Bob eventually rose to the position of Fire Chief, but he always preferred to be a hands-on first responder. After 32 years of service, Bob retired from the Ann Arbor Fire Department in 1988. He then joined the Scio Township Fire Department as a Charter Member until his retirement in 1994.

His love of hands-on work and passion for providing for his family led him to always have additional part-time jobs as a handyman doing facilities maintenance. For decades, he supported rental properties owned by the late Drs. John Lingon and Irving Feller, helped build and maintain Dr. Feller’s Cavanaugh Lakeview Farms Ltd, and later worked at Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor, well into his 80s.

A man of deep faith, Robert led his life with kindness and humility. He was sincerely interested in getting to know each person he encountered. He was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Ann Arbor since 1954, serving as an usher and delivering communion to shut-ins, even up until late 2024. In more recent years, he and Karen also attended daily mass at St. Joseph Catholic Village Church in Dexter, Michigan. Additionally, Bob volunteered with Society of St. Vincent DePaul for many years.

Bob was a lifelong Michigan sports fan and he and Karen were long time University of Michigan Women’s basketball season ticket holders. He was even able to attend the February 2nd game this year, thanks to their dear friends who made sure he and Karen had a ride and support.

Bob is survived by his wife, Karen, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, and whom he cared for with great love and dedication; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa (Murphy) Bell and Timothy Bell, granddaughters Morgan and Meredith Bell, and brothers Charles and Patrick (Shirley) Murphy. He also leaves behind two godsons, as well as nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and many treasured friends. His family would like to thank Lidia Ionita from Love and Care Services, LLC, for the incredible care and compassion she provided Bob during his final days.

A visitation honoring Bob’s life will be held on Sunday, March 16th, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm followed by a Scripture Service from 6:30pm to 7 pm at Muehlig Funeral Chapel at 403 S 4th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. On Monday, March 17th there will be a visitation from 10am to 11am followed by a Memorial Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Village Church, 3430 Dover St., Dexter, MI 48130.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Robert’s memory to St. Louis Center (https://stlouiscenter.org), a private, non-profit residential community in Chelsea, Michigan that serves individuals with intellectual and development disabilities.