Robert E. 'Bob' Murphy

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Sept. 19, 1931 - March 17, 2023

Robert E. Murphy, "Bob", beloved husband to Judith Pauline Murphy, father to 6, and grand-father to 12, great grandfather to 5 passed away at 91 years-old on St. Patrick's Day, Friday March 17th after a four-year-battle with complications brought on by a stroke. Bob had a seismic impact on his family, friends, and the national commercial printing industry where he built a 54 year career.

Bob was born on September 19th, 1931 to Edward and Irene Murphy in Frederic, Wisconsin. The first of 3 children, he grew up on his family's modest dairy farm in Georgetown. Bob dreamed of becoming an architect. But tragically cancer took his father's life in 1948 when he was just 45 years old, and everything suddenly changed for the then 16-year-old. After graduating top of his class from high school, Bob dutifully set his dreams aside and took over the family farm to provide for his mother and help send his two siblings - Alan Murphy and Mary Ann Murphy - to college.

But staying on the farm had one big advantage: it put him on a path to meet Judy Beddor - a witty, blue eyed city girl whose family vacationed on nearby Bone Lake.

Bob married Judy on June 7, 1958 at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Minneapolis, MN. The couple lived on the farm and had 4 children. Bob began finding fulfillment in meticulously managing his herd and experimenting with new farming techniques. He also got involved in local politics. Serving on Georgetown Town Board he helped clear the way for local roads to be paved. He also became chair of the local Democratic Party.

His political activism culminated in efforts to help elect John F. Kennedy President. During Kennedy's first campaign, Bob and Judy hosted Bobby Kennedy at their farm home and Paradise Supper Club.

Soon, a life changing opportunity presented itself. Judy's father, Frank Beddor, offered Bob a job at the printing com-pany, Japs-Olson. In 1965, Bob started in Japs-Olson's Production Department. He worked his way up. By 1990 he was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. During his 50+ years of leadership, Japs-Olson became an industry leader in direct mail production and commercial printing. The company now has over 600 employees.

Bob Murphy also served as president of the industry's then-chief trade association, the Printing Industries of America.

But it wasn't all about work for Bob. He deeply valued and adored his large family.

His Irish eyes were always smiling - especially when one of his six children or 12 grandchildren or 5 great grandchildren was around.

Bob spent virtually every waking moment outside of work with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at their Bone Lake home. He experienced great joy from seeing the kids in his family have fun. He made sure the lake not only had boats, jet skis, inner tubes, water skis and wakeboards, and plenty of gators and ATVs - not to mention the family's infamous row of lakeside trampolines.

Whenever his wife Judy would dream up an idea for a family event or gathering, he would make it reality - no matter how outrageous. Convert the family's pontoon into a replica of Noah's Arc for the yearly boat parade? No problem. Clear an ice rink on a frozen lake with 3 feet of hard packed snow? He'd enlist an army of grandchildren and have a regulation sized hockey rink ready the next day. Coordinate the logistics of a 40 person 4th of July bike ride with 2 support vans stocked with snacks and supplies? He did it every year.

Bob also loved teaching those around him life skills - like how to use basic tools, change a car's oil, and chainsaw down a tree. Bob Murphy was also a man of deep, quiet steadfast faith. A devout Catholic. From that faith, he took away the values of perseverance, humility, integrity, and gratitude. He was an avid supporter of numerous local parishes.

At 91 years of age as he slowly lost ground physically, he had a quiet dignity that inspired and touched the hearts of all those around him. And up until his last day on earth, which was St Patrick's Day, his Irish eyes were smiling.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Irene Murphy, brother Alan C. Murphy and sister Mary Ann Murphy. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Judith Pauline Murphy; 6 Children: Patrick R. Murphy (Roberta), Kathleen Murphy Davis, Marjorie Blevins (Timothy), Monica Murphy, Bridget, Mary Murphy, and Michael R. Murphy (Amy); 12 grandchildren: Matthew P. Murphy (Lisa), Nicholas Murphy (Adeline), Daniel Murphy, Andrew Murphy Davis, Edward R. Blevins (Wang Lin), Louis Blevins (Laura Bayless), Grace Blevins (Adam Shealy), Catherine Carlquist, Benjamin Cohen, Madeline Murphy, Eleanor Murphy, Abigail Murphy; 5 Great Grandchildren: Russell Murphy, Genevieve Murphy, Leland Murphy, Irene Murphy, Wesley Blevins. Special thanks to caretaker: Sarah Hamel. 

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 am, Thursday March 23 with visitation beginning at 9:00 am at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 8th St. & 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN. Please park across the street at The Minneapolis Club. A reception to follow the mass at The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN. Interment at 3:30 pm Holy Rosary Cemetery, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. The service can be live streamed at: youtube.com/user/SaintOlafChurch/…

Memorials to St Olaf Catholic Church or an organization of the donor’s choice. saintolaf.org/…

Washburn-McReavy.com Davies Chapel 612-377-2203 2301 Dupont Ave. S.

Published on March 22, 2023