Robert Francis Murray

OBITUARY: ROBERT F. MURRAY

Robert Francis Murray (Bob), 90, an artist, gallerist, and writer of Alexandria, VA, died on January 5, 2026 at Mount Vernon Hospital. His wife of fifty-seven years, Rosemary Griffin Murray, predeceased him in 2024.
He was also predeceased by his brother C. Fred Murray in 1992 and his wife Ruth H. Murray in 1990. He is survived by sisters-in-law , Kathleen Wright of Longmeadow, MA, Marianne Griffin of Mooresville, NC and many devoted friends and nieces and nephews from both families.

Bob Murray was a leading figure in the Alexandria and DC art scene for forty years and remained active until several months before he died. In 1983, he founded the von Brahler Gallery, with locations in Georgetown and Alexandria, representing artists such as José Salazar, Paul Wunderlich, and later, Russian and Eastern Bloc artists, including Nikolai Antyuchin, Armen Kankanian, Yuri Kokoyanin, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, and Otari Shiuk. After his brick-and-mortar gallery closed in 2011, Murray mounted exhibits in local galleries and in iconic venues such as the Manor House at River Farm, a former holding of President George Washington nearby his plantation. His longtime friend, filmmaker, Ash Hawken, recalls, "for many years, Bob and I had daily contact when he housed his gallery and studio in my office building on Powhatan Street. During that time, I came to know the depth of his knowledge of art, his skill in its promotion and the respect he held for its makers."

In 1985, he established the Association of Alexandria Art Galleries, serving as its director for a decade. He curated numerous exhibitions, including several featuring his own watercolor paintings. About Murray's often whimsical works, art critic for The Zebra, Kelly MacConomy, wrote, "Murray's use of color is understated, cautious, yielding to the movement so as to not upstage the vibrant, kinetic expression of the brushwork. Together they conjure magic." In a recent tribute, she described him as "more than an art impresario; he's the real deal in a town that has seen established Washington art glitterati fade to near extinction."

Murray authored several art books. His collection of soapstone sculpture inspired The Elegance of Nature Softly Carved in Soapstone, tracing the history of Chinese soapstone carving. In 2019, he published Swampoodle Lily: The Jesuit Church of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, detailing the church's architecture and artwork. In it he describes the work of Benedetto Sestini, SJ, its architect, and Constantino Brumidi whose paintings adorn the sanctuary. Brumidi is also known for his fresco work in the rotunda of the US Capitol.

Before his career in the arts began, Murray worked for BOAC airlines and was the first Executive Director of the North Carolina World Trade Association. He volunteered extensively at Gonzaga College High School, serving on its Board of Governors for forty years and along the way leading historical and artistic initiatives. Bob was the Director of Aesthetics for the renovation of St. Aloysius from 1991 to 1994. In 2025, the Gonzaga Alumni Association honored him with the Father Allen P. Novotny, S.J. Service Award in recognition of his dedication to the school and its church. In tribute to his unstinting dedication to both, Gonzaga's current President, Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J., wrote, "Bob Murray has given his time, talent and treasure, to Gonzaga and St. Aloysius Church. Past, present, and future generations of our students and families have been, and will be, inspired by the beauty of our Church, and that in large part is thanks to Bob's talent and generosity."

Bob Murrray was born in Danville, Pennsylvania in 1935 to Francis B. and Martha Brahler Murray. In the 1940s, the family moved to Washington, DC area, where he attended St. Charles Parochial School in Arlington and Gonzaga, graduating in 1953. After a year at Georgetown University and four years in a novitiate of the Society of Jesus, he completed BSL and MLS degrees at Georgetown. In 1995, Gonzaga awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters.

In 1967, Bob married Rosemary Griffin, a graduate of Trinity College in Washington and later airline executive for Pan American World Airways and U.S. Airways. The couple resided in several homes in Alexandria, working together on numerous charitable efforts, including Good Shepherd Housing, a Northern Virginia entity providing low-income families with affordable housing. Over some six decades of their marriage, Murray homes became centers of hospitality to artists and visitors from all over the world. Their art-bedecked walls also embraced countless members of their extended family as they came to celebrate holidays and special occasions. Niece, Jessica Sibilia, recalled the memory of her uncle, "he had a rare gift for making people feel seen and never alone. Though many looked to him for guidance, he chose friendship first, and that is how he will be remembered."

Bob Murray was an optimistic man with a strong faith in God and dedication to His creation. His positivity, sincerity and wry sense of humor won him loyal friendships within the many sectors of his colorful life. It was a life defined by service to his community and a vision for a peaceful and productive world. His friendships ranged from the powerful players in the art world to the humble that crossed his path. His high school and seminary friend, Rev. Dominic Totaro, S.J. expressed it well, "Bob's way of relating to people was to learn about them, work with them, help them, and care for them."

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Aloysius Church, 900 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 on January 24 at 11am. Parking is available in the Gonzaga parking garage that can be accessed at First & Eye Streets, NW. A private burial will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bob's name to the Serenity Club, 8121
Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA 22309.