Colonel Robert J. "Bob" Murphy, age 62, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, February 14, 2018. He was born July 31, 1955 in Muskegon to John L. and Ellen M. (Winter) Murphy. Bob graduated from Whitehall High School prior to entering the United States Air Force Academy. Bob's Air Force career as a decorated F-4 and F-16 pilot spanned 27 years, taking him to NC, TX, KS, and IL. Following his retirement, he returned to Whitehall with his family and attended Evangelical Covenant Church of Whitehall. Bob was larger than life. He invested his time and love into his family. He enjoyed being outdoors, doing projects, building a cabin, playing on lake Michigan, pickleball, landscaping, kayaking, racing with and cheering on his family. He always used his skills to serve others, through church work camps, mission to Congo, Mexico and Guatemala. He was a man of service--to God, his family, and his country.

On September 25, 1982 he married Michell Tidwell in Lamesa, TX; and she survives him alon...[more]

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ith their 4 children, MAJ Carli and Haynes Thompson (USAF), Leann Murphy, Matthew Murphy, and Scott Murphy; his mother, Ellen Murphy, brother, William and Molly Murphy of Spokane, WA, and sister, Linda and Dave Jacobs of Northport, MI. Bob was preceded in death by his father, John.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE with Military honors will be held 11:00AM Monday, February 19, 2018 at Evangelical Covenant Church of Whitehall, 900 S. Warner, Whitehall, MI 49461 (231-894-4271). VISITATION with Bob's family will be 10:00 -11:00 AM, prior to the funeral, at the church. For a more lasting memorial, his family would prefer donations to Samaritan's Purse: Heal our Patriots, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. You are also invited to sign the family's Online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com.