Robert Lincoln Murphy

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Lincoln Murphy announces his passing on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018, at the age of 90 years. 

A native of Akron, Bob grew up during the Great Depression and had many stories that he liked to tell from his childhood. Bob joined the Navy at 17 years old in 1945 singing in the Great Lakes Blue Jackets Choir on the radio in Chicago while awaiting deployment. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he gained employment at B.F. Goodrich as a tire builder later moving into sales where he excelled.  At night he attended the University of Akron making the Dean’s List and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. 

Robert married the love of his life, Mary Bussan, November 6, 1954 and had 7 children in the next 13 years. They would celebrate their 64th Wedding Anniversary this year. Bob retired from B.F. Goodrich in 1984 and moved to Vinton, Ohio, where he had spent much of his youth with family and learned to love the country lifestyle. He became a counselor at Family Addictive Counseling & Training Services from 1984-1990. From 1995-1997 he was President of the Vinton County Youth League where he would generate one of the largest baseball leagues in the group’s history, partially due to his growing number of grandchildren. Bob also worked as a Walmart Greeter for a short time in 1998 - sadly there is no photo to memorialize this event.

In his later years Robert wrote many op-ed articles, several of which were published in the Gallipolis Daily Tribune. He enjoyed wood working in his barn where he made many family items. He also restored many of the grave markers at the McGhee Cemetery in Vinton, Ohio, including the cemetery sign. Bob was also known for his hillbilly fashion sense consisting mainly of bib overalls, a plaid flannel shirt and his insistence that he was Bob the Slob from over the Knob or Morris Mucket from Pawtucket.

Robert was a member of The Ancient Order of Hibernians in Akron, Ohio, The American Legion Vinton Post 161 and he celebrated 44 years of sobriety from alcohol addiction, an achievement of great meaning that he was very proud of.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Mary Bussan and his 5 children: Sister Mary, Coleen (Dave), Maureen (Robert), Patti (Eddie) and Kevin (Laurie). Bob will also be fondly remembered by his 16 grandchildren: Shane, Victor, Samantha, Ian, Lena, Jacqueline, Joseph, Joshua, Geremy, Charles, Zachary, Tyler, Kevin, Ethan, Blaine, Careylee and by his 20 great-grandchildren: Austin, Halie, John, Kiesla, Jacob, Isabel, Lillian, Abbygail, Rylie, Jayona, Dylan, Solomon, Miles, Matilda, Patrick, Madison, Ollie, Isaac, Jaxon and Oliver. 

In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his brother, George; daughters, Kathleen and Bridget; grandson, Victor and son-in-law, Stacey.

Funeral Mass will be conducted 9:30 AM Monday, October 1, 2018 in the St. Louis Catholic Church, Gallipolis, Ohio with Father Hamm officiating. Burial will follow in St. Louis Catholic Cemetery, Gallipolis, Ohio. Friends and family may call at the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel, Sunday 5:00-7:00 PM.    

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Donation to Hospice of Huntington, 1101 6th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701.

Online registry is available via www.mccoymoore.com

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