of Mountain Home, AR
June 26, 1940 - November 19, 2013
Robert L. ''Bob'' Murphy, Col. USAF, (Ret), age 73, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at his residence.
He was born June 26, 1940, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Russell L. and Flora Andreotti Murphy. On June 6, 1964, he married Veronica Phannenstiel in Denver, Colorado.
Col. Murphy was a 1963 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was a pilot in the United States Air Force, served three tours of duty in Vietnam with a total of 30 years of service, retiring as a Colonel. He moved to Mountain Home 14 years ago from Sioux City, South Dakota and was a member of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. He was also a member and Past Grand Knight of the Fisherman Council Knights of Columbus #7353, Father Henry J. Chinery Assembly 2060 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus where he served two years as Faithful Navigator and was Commander of the Honor Guard for eight years. He also was Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Tracy Area Fire Protection District. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.
Survivors are his wife: Veronica ''Ronnie'' Murphy; three daughters: Kelly A. Murphy (husband Daniel Sullivan): Carbondale, Colorado; Christine M. Murphy (husband Peter Ammon): Breckenridge, Colorado; and Theresa L. Murphy (husband Troy Rapp): Oakham, Massachusetts; a sister: Jacqueline S. Klock: Georgetown, Texas; three grandchildren: Jacob and Mia Ammon and Kian Sullivan; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from Noon-9:00 P.M. Monday, November 25, 2013, at Roller Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. A Vigil Service will be at 7:00 P.M. Monday in the Roller Chapel with Deacon Robert Crawford officiating. The Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church with Reverend Norbert Rappold as celebrant. Entombment will be in Baxter Memorial Gardens with military honors by the United States Air Force. Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Scholarship Fund.
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37 Condolence(s)
Douglas W. Palme
Monday, December 12, 2022
Bob,
It has been such a long time and yet it seems like only yesterday. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and Ronnie. You both meant so much to me in my life.
I long to just pick up the phone and give you a call, to hear you laugh, give me sound advice and when needed scold me.
You will always be that father I never had.
To his girls, I wish all of you well and want you to know that you remain in my thoughts.
Christy Murphy
Friday, August 18, 2017
Dad, today is the first day I could bring myself to read any of these comments, it was just too painful. I miss you so much and am so thankful of the lessons I learned from you. You helped me become the person I am today, and are still influencing Mia and Jakey. Reading other's notes, it is amazing to see how many people you touched. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you and miss you. As Mom gets ready to join you, I will do everything I can to make sure she is comfortable. Theresa and Troy are doing a great job.
Christy
Kelly Murphy
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Happy Fathers Day, Dad. I miss you.
Scott
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Hard to believe it has been a year " Bob" still remembering you ,
Brig. Gen. F.F.Haggard
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Sincerest Condolences To You and Yours. Have vivid memories of Bob. No matter how tough things got and they did. He always had a good word. Blessing On His Soul - Make The Lord Receive my Brother in Christ with Great Joy. Jude 1:24 - <"()))>< - Kindest Regards. FFH
Kelly Murphy
Monday, June 30, 2014
Dad, it's been a tough month with your and mom's 50th wedding anniversary, your 74th birthday, and Father's Day. Not a day goes by that I don't miss you and wish you were still with us.
David W. Bell
Sunday, January 12, 2014
To: Ronnie and daughters, my most sincere condolences to you. Bob was a good friend, and I respected the man that he was. It was indeed a pleasure and an honor to be associated with him and Ronnie. Thank you, and God Bless each of you in this time of loss.
Douglas W. Palme
Saturday, January 11, 2014
As I sit here thinking of what I could say, I find myself at a complete loss of words. My heart goes out to Ronnie, Theresa, Christi, and Kelly I know your loss is deep and no words can ease the pain you must feel..... Please know this, nobody in this world had a more profound impact on my life than your "Colonel".
From the first time I met him until our last conversation but a few days before his passing, he remained my friend, my mentor, my counselor and my rock. He was the father I never had and no matter the time or place he always made time for me.
I will forever remember fondly our days of chasing pheasants from south Dakota to Arkansas, his hospitality when I traveled through Mountain Home, his great humor, wonderful steaks, but most of all I will remember his friendship.....
JoAnn Sheets Ford
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
To Bob's family: Bob was respected and admired by his peers at SHS: intelligent, friendly, and willing to help his classmates both academically and in sporting events. I wish you peace.
Joe Dalfiume
Thursday, November 28, 2013
I had the honor of serving under Bob at both Tan Son Nhut and Ban Me Thuot East. He was a great person and formed in my mind the standard of what a true leader should be. My wife Jeanne and I had the pleasure of reuniting with Bob almost 40 years later at the Warriors of An Loc reunions.
God speed, Murph.
Col Tim Carey (USAF, Ret)
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
I, and virtually all the young pilots of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, admired and respected Major Bob Murphy -- one of America's best combat leaders during the last year of our war there.
He demonstrated and taught us maturity, responsibility, dedication to duty and to mission; but he also revealed his compassion, humor, and genuine personal concern for his fellow warriors.
Though we never met again after the ceasefire, I have always remembered him, and am sure he had the same profound affect on all who were fortunate to know, live, and work with him.
A truly great human being.
Leo E. Lau
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
I am proud to say that I was fortunate enough to serve under him during the Vietnam conflict. My prayers and condolences are submitted for the Murphy family.
LtCol Pep McPhillips
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Your Dad was my boss in 1972 in Vietnam. He was my mentor as he was to all the young pilots. His leadership and guidance during those troubled times had a profound effect on most of our Air Force careers. He will be in my heart forever. Please give Ronnie a hug for me. A wonderful lady who gave us a great man. God Bless you....Sundog 07
Michael DeCicco
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
I wish to express my sorrow to the Murphy family for their loss. I did not know Bob but by the miracle of offspring he has silently reached out and touched my life through his daughter Theresa. My thoughts are with you.
Matthew Ferguson
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
To the Murphy Family -- our hearts are with you at this time of grief. Colonel Murphy served our country well. The Ferguson Family and Law Firm
Eric Phannenstiel
Monday, November 25, 2013
We are so sorry for your loss yet grateful for having known Uncle Bob. He was a great man and all who knew him were better off for it. He instilled a sense of security by his very presence, and that feeling was only enhanced when he spoke. Although the encounters with him were infrequent, I was always treated to a sense of being one of his close friends whenever we got together. It was always a special feeling and sense of fraternity with him. i will miss him. May he rest in peace and know God's love through the resurrection.
Eric Lindy Molly Max P.
Michele McClew
Monday, November 25, 2013
So sorry for your loss and sad we couldn't be with you during this time of grief.
Uncle Bob was such a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was always so handsome in his uniform and I admired his dedication and service to our country.
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The McClew Family - Michele, Brad, Maggie and Kaitlyn.
Viki Distin
Monday, November 25, 2013
Bob,
I did not know you in this life, but thank you for your radiant daughter, Theresa. She has been a light to me and many. I know Sir, that you liked to fly….so as the poet Rumi suggests, it is now time to "Become the Sky."
Viki Distin
Monday, November 25, 2013
Bob,
I did not know you in this life, but thank you for your radiant daughter, Theresa. She has been a light to me and many. I know Sir, that you liked to fly….so as the poet Rumi suggests, it is now time to "Become the Sky."
Jim and Barb Ruane
Monday, November 25, 2013
Dear Ronnie, Kelly, Kristy, and Theresa,
We were saddened to hear of your husband and father's death. We have very fond memories of him as a neighbor and friend. You will all be remembered in our prayers. We regret that we are out of the country at this time or we might have tried to come to the funeral. Our love and peace to each of you.
Jim and Barb Ruane
Kathy Rapp
Monday, November 25, 2013
I am sorry for your loss of your dad. I did not know your father, but knowing Theresa and the delightful person she is says it all.
Love and prayers,
Kathy Rapp
Catherine D Snow
Monday, November 25, 2013
May Grace sustain you all in time of loss, of Bob Murphy. Take comfort in the sharing of memories, and your strong sense of connection to all that he was to you & the community of people whose lives he touched. May his dedication & strong sense of service continue to inspire others. Big Hugs to Theresa & Troy.
Lisa Golde
Monday, November 25, 2013
Bob, wherever you are now, know that you are loved. And though I only know of you through your beautiful daughter Theresa, you both share the same source of life. May you rest easy as you journey on. And rest assured the family you leave behind is also loved deeply by those around them.
Tracy Ramos
Monday, November 25, 2013
Bob,
I didn't know you in life, but I am a better person for knowing your daughter, Theresa. (even though she's only been my teacher for a short time, she has brought such light to the world, including mine!)
For this, I will be forever grateful to you for having her.
Dale, Marcy and Chloe Phannenstiel
Monday, November 25, 2013
Uncle Bob will be misses. Our love and sympathy.
Joellyn Colin
Monday, November 25, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Bob's entire family. He was a good man and a great help to my folks, Bill and Lee Bulow. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
dean and mary ann celaschi
Sunday, November 24, 2013
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. He was very loved and will shine in your eyes with the warmth and love he gave to you and to so many others.
tim and colleen deshone
Sunday, November 24, 2013
we are so sorry to hear of Bobs death. our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Kathleen and Juned Pathan
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and family. Love and loyalty is never forgotten.
Kathleen and Juned Pathan
Eastman
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Bob was a good friend, a great aviator and an extremely good man. After graduating from the Academy Bob and I with our families were often in the same places and in the same command- Strategic Air Command. I will not forget those days and the comfort that I felt knowing the likes of Bob stood nearby.
You will be missed my friend now that you have made your finally full stop landing in this life - I look forward to our rejoin in the life hereafter. Your commrade in arms. Larry
Aprille Hanson
Saturday, November 23, 2013
To the Murphy family,
My heart breaks for you all for the loss of Bob. He will always hold a special place in my heart - he awarded me a college scholarship along with the Knight of Columbus. I will forever be grateful for his generosity and kindness. I will miss talking with him at church when I am home visiting. I will never forget him - the jovial, smiling man with the firm handshake. God has a special place in Heaven for him and I hope you find peace in knowing you will see him again. My prayers are with you.
Tom O'Neill
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Thank you, and rest in peace Bob Murphy.
It was an honor and a privilege to stand with a better man in tough and violent times.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, and I offer an old Irish blessing:
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal:
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Rash 06
Tom Milligan
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Bob was my commander when I was a forward air controller in Vietnam. He was an outstanding leader who knew his people and never asked them to do anything that he would not do himself. I am proud to have called him friend. He will be missed by many.
Roger & Marilyn Gonzagowski
Friday, November 22, 2013
Ronnie and Family, We are very sorry to hear that such a wonderful man has gone to Heaven. It was fun working the Paul Bunyan Breakfast with You Both. Now Bob is fishing with St. Peter and giving his Mom and Dad a Big Hug and Kisses.
We are sorry that we can't be there on Tuesday. You both will be in Our Thoughts and Prayers.
bob goree
Thursday, November 21, 2013
I was Sundog 21 when Bob was Sundog01. He was an incredible boss and a real warrior. We would have followed him through the gates of hell. He and I dodged many Strela missiles in An Loc on one day. We both survived the encounter with only bent wings. I was proud to work for him but more importantly I was proud to call him friend. I weep with you tonight for the loss of a really good man and my friend.
ed hares
Thursday, November 21, 2013
I am very sorry for your loss. Bob was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus and spent many hours working for our chapter.
He will be sorely missed.
Mark Phannenstiel
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss of your Dad.
Memories of Uncle Bob go back well into my childhood. I remember being jealous of him hanging out with your Mom because I was always fond of Aunt Veronica and I was always competing for her attention.
However well into our Adult years I always enjoyed his company even if it was years between visits. He had such a great laugh and made me feel good about myself when I caught up with him.
His service to our Country is so honorable and I am proud to have known him.
If you need any assistance from us here in the Denver area, don't hesitate to contact me.
Mark, Denise, Alex and Alyssa