Robert R. "Bob" Murphy

Robert "Bob" R. Murphy of Rochester passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on Friday, July 18, 2025. Bob was born on October 28, 1943, in Rochester to John W. "Jack" and Alice (Lonergan) Murphy. He graduated from Lourdes High School in 1962. After graduation he took a job with IBM in New York City and shortly thereafter was drafted into the US Military, where he served for six years in the Navy Reserves. He graduated from Winona State College in 1969 and continued to work for IBM in Rochester until his retirement in 1994 at which time he went on to be a founding partner of PEMSTAR Manufacturing, retiring in 2002. Bob met Patricia Peters in 1965 and on August 16, 1969 he married her at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester. They had three children: Matthew, Andrea, and Colleen. Bob enjoyed "working" from 2003 to 2020 at his son Matthew's business, Kathy's Pub, as "Chief Financial Officer." He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and later became a fan of the MN Vikings and MN Twins. Bob worked with, and was an integral part of, the Rochester Royals Amateur Baseball Team. It may surprise some to know this, but he enjoyed doing cross-stitch and needlepoint, along with crosswords, Sudoku, and watching whatever British mystery was airing on PBS. He will be remembered for his sharp wit and sense of humor, but of all the things Bob accomplished in his life, his family is the most proud of his generosity to others, his strong moral character, his ability to see the good in people when others couldn't or wouldn't, and how he would lift them up in ways that often went unseen by others-whether it was family, friends, or downtrodden strangers he met at Kathy's Pub. He always tried to help and never looked to take credit. He is survived by his wife Patricia "Pat" of Rochester, his children Matthew (Raechel) of Rochester, Andrea (Joshua) Land of Madison, WI, Colleen Murphy of Rochester, his sisters Sheila (Herb) Townsend of Rochester, Mary (Mark) Morse of Hudson, WI, his brother Mark (Terri) of Byron, MN, his sisters-in-law Wanda Murphy of Rochester, Linda Murphy of Rochester, and Sandy Rocheleau of Rochester, and grandchildren Hannah (Jair), Henry, Esther, William and Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jack, Jim, Don, Dick, Tom, Pete, and Joe. His funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 11:00AM in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, July 23, 2025, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home along with one hour prior to the service on Thursday. A reception is planned to follow in the River Park Reception Hall at Macken Funeral Home. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com Livestream of the service can be found here: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1MzA0ODEyMjM3MjI1MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Memorials can be directed to Channel One Regional Food Bank, Paws and Claws, Salvation Army or a charity of the donor's choice.