Robert M. Murphy

Robert M. Murphy
May 16, 1923 - November 23, 2008
Williamsburg, Iowa
Visitation: 4-7 pm November 28, 2008 at Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 am November 29, 2008 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Iowa
Interment: November 29, 2008 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Williamsburg, Iowa
Williamsburg- Robert M. Murphy, was born on May 16, 1923, in Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Martin L. and Anna B. (Gaulke) Murphy. He graduated from Atlantic Public School in 1941, he received his B.A. from Upper Iowa University and his M.A. from the University of Iowa. He was a Seaman 1st Class in the US Navy Amphibious Forces during WWII from 1942-1945. On August 14, 1949, he was united in marriage to Betty J. Starkweather in Greene, Iowa, they were blessed with a daughter Melinda. Betty passed away on January 6, 1981. He later married Marilyn E. (Ahrens) Rathjen on November 29, 1986 in Williamsburg, Iowa. He was the High School Principal for Williamsburg Community Schools for 36 years. He was a member of the St Paul Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. He was also a member of the Secondary Principal's Association, and Lion's Club. He served on the Representative Council of Iowa High School Athletic Association for 11 years, the Williamsburg City Council for 6 years, and the Williamsburg School Board of Directors for 6 years. He enjoyed golf, was an avid football fan and he loved the Williamsburg Community. Bob died on Sunday, November 23, 2008, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City following a lingering illness at the age of 85 years. He is survived by wife Marilyn of Williamsburg; a daughter Melinda (Nick) Driscoll of Williamsburg; 2 stepsons- Mark Rathjen and Roger Rathjen both of Williamsburg; 2 granddaughters- Beth Driscoll (fiancé Mark Augspurger) of Des Moines and Anne (Jamison) Moeller of West Des Moines; 4 step grandchildren- Tyler (Ashley) Rathjen, Troy Rathjen, Samantha Rathjen and Terra Rathjen-Baker; a step great grandson Aidan Rathjen. He is preceded in death by his parents; 1st wife Betty; a stepson David Rathjen; and 2 brothers Warren W. Murphy and Lester Murphy. Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, November 29, 2008, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. Pastor Carl Cloeter will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Williamsburg. Visitation will be on Friday from 4-7 P.M. at the Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg. A memorial fund has been established for the Williamsburg Public Library and St. Paul Lutheran Church. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.