Robert Patrick Murphy, passed through the gate of death on Jan. 5, 2017. He was born on Sept. 11, 1933, in Detroit.

Robert was the third of six children born to Celeste (Reilly) and Elliot Murphy.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph (Trinh Cunningham), Norman and Norman's wife, Sarah and James (Margaret).

Surviving siblings are his sister, Jeanne; and brother, Lawrence (Jurate). He is also survived by his former wife, Barbara (Uzarski); two sons, Michael and Terrence; and his wife, Jan; and their children, Michael and Elizabeth; and his faithful friend, Sharon Black.

In Detroit, Robert attended Precious Blood grade school and Barbour Hall Junior Military Academy in Kalamazoo. He attended the University of Detroit High School, graduating in 1950.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology from Aquinas College in 1957, Robert served in the U.S. Army in 1959. In 1961, Robert and Barbara welcomed their son, Michael into the world and in 1963, their son, Terrence. In 1962, Robert began his commercial real estate career with Byron W. Trerice Company. In 1967, Robert and partners founded their commercial real estate firm, Burland, Reiss, Murphy and Mosher.

In addition to his work in real estate, Robert was active in the Southfield Rotary Club, Southfield Economic Development Board, and The Southfield Exchange Club. He was an honorary lifetime member of The Nature Conservancy. He received great joy in orchestrating outings and dinner events with The Sierra and The Paul Bunyan Clubs and Ducks Unlimited. He cherished many life-long friendships formed in those groups as well.

His interests and adventures were numerous. He was equally adept with his hands and mind. Among his interests were piloting his planes and boat, sailboat racing, hunting, fishing, and building furniture. He had a passion for music, ballet and culinary arts. His extensive library was a source of pleasure for him and those around him.

Among his adventures was owning a remote hunting and fishing camp called Hidden Bay Lodge on Ranger Lake, Searchmont, Ontario, Canada. The lodge became a hub for family members for many years. About 1975, Robert and his brother, Norman, embarked on a mid-winter mission of cutting and hauling lake ice for the Lodge's ice house. To the relief of their families, they returned with neither frostbite nor interest in repeating the escapade.

Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at St. Raphael Catholic Church, in Copemish, with Father John Porter as celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy or the Thompsonville Public Library, Thompsonville, MI.

The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements.