Robert D. Murphy

Robert Duane Murphy. Born March 13, 1936 to Charles and Lela Murphy. He grew up on a farm near Sedgwick, KS. He graduated from Sedgwick High School in 1954. 

 

He joined the Army Reserves in 1959.  He was in the reserves for six years. He was employed with Brunswick Bowling Corporation for 40 years beginning in 1958.  His duties included sanding and continuing with all aspects of installing and modernization of the lanes. 

 

In 1961 he married Sara Truax in Peabody, Kansas. They had four children. Eric, Kathy and twins Denise and Patrice. A couple of years while the children were young he worked as a carpenter, working on local buildings, one being the Harvey County Courthouse. 

 

When the twins were born and the house was too small he drew up plans and built an addition to the family home.  He only needed help on the electrical and cement work.

 

Bob spent many years on the fish banks trying to catch the big one. He taught all the grandchildren to fish baiting hooks and getting the line out of trees. He always enjoyed the fish pond on the Truax family farm. 

He continued to bowl when in town and after retiring, currently bowling in 2 leagues.  He helped care for grandchildren after retirement,  picking them up at school and taking them on errands and for coffee. He enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids participate in sports.  He enjoyed meeting friends for coffee daily.   

He spent many years in his garage making small construction wood toys and entering them in the county fair winning awards.  He also became involved in the rock hobby making lapidary items, cutting, polishing and tumbling stones and more recently making jewelry.  He took pride in making a cane for Sara with rocks he cut and polished. 

 

Survivors include his beloved wife Sara of 62 years. Son Eric (Judy) Murphy of Newton and their children, Jeryl Murphy of Lyons, Nathan (Marissa) Murphy and their sons James and Charles Murphy of North Newton, Mitchell (Veronica) Murphy of Newton, and Morgan Murphy of Lawrence. Daughters Kathy Murphy of Newton, Patrice Akers and children Ashley Akers (Noah Schmidt) of Kingston Springs, TN, Megan Akers (Hunter Kerr) of Topeka, and Ian Akers (Emma Nelson) of Newton, daughter Denise (Stephen) Bryant and their children Grant and Logan Bryant of Peabody. Sisters - Wanda Graham of Whitewater and Lorene Blevens of Warrensburg, Missouri, and sister in law Sandra Murphy of Texas. Many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Virginia Diggs and brother in laws Jim Diggs, Ronnie Blevens, and Bill Graham, one brother Dale Murphy, and son-in-law Todd Akers.  

 

A Memorial Service will be held at the First Church of God, 620 Fairview, Newton, Ks. on Saturday, November 25th at 11:00 a.m. Petersen Family Funeral Home will not be assisting with the memorial service.

 

Memorial contributions can be made out to Wild Trust Kids Fishing Program through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and left in care of Petersen Family Funeral Home.