Obituary of Robert D. Murphy

Robert D. “Bob” Murphy, 87, of Garden City, South Carolina died peacefully Monday May 13, 2019 at the Waccamaw Medical Center in Murrell’s Inlet, SC after a short hospitalization.

Bob was born in Batavia, New York on July 30, 1931, the only son of Arthur and Fern (Hobbs) Murphy, and was raised in Rochester, NY where his parents moved when he was a toddler.  A highlight of his teenage years was spending a month at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.  He graduated from Charlotte High School, class of 1949; followed by a degree in Chemistry and Music from St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY), class of 1953.  After graduation, he studied French horn at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.  A Korean-era draftee, Bob served with the US Army Band from 1954 to 1956 playing his horn at Allied Headquarters in Munich and Augsburg, Germany. 

Returning home, Bob settled in Greece, NY to raise a family with his wife, the former Nancy Glenwright of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania whom he married on September 30, 1961.  In 1989, he retired from the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester after working as an Environmental Chemist for 30 years.  His laboratory was responsible for guaranteeing that no harmful chemicals from the making of photographic film were released into the Genesee River. 

In 1975, Bob & Nancy moved a short distance to Hilton, NY where they could have more land for Bob’s gardens.  A few years later, they purchased a small U-pick blueberry patch that they operated as a small side-business for almost 20 years.  In 1999, they retired to Garden City.

Bob had several passions that continued his whole life – his church, playing his French horn, and gardening.  For over 45 years, he served as a deacon in the Worldwide Church of God, the Church of God International, and with the Christian Educational Ministries.  Through the years, he played with the Barnard Band in Rochester and with the Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach after his retirement, where he was also the music librarian.

Bob is remembered fondly by his wife of 57 years, Nancy, sons Douglas (Ann) of Omaha, NE and Scott (Marina) of Henderson, NV, daughter Wendy of Thousand Oaks, CA, and grandchildren Calvin, Erin, Roger, Briana and Sarah.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 15 at the Goldfinch Funeral Services’ Beach Chapel on Hwy 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet.  A private family interment will be held later in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Adams Basin, New York.