Robert Alan Murphy, 67, a longtime resident and business owner of Salem, MA passed away March 10, 2013, after a long struggle with cancer.
During his early years in Salem, he owned Robert Murphy Booksellers, dealing with antiquarian books. An avid reader and collector from an early age he next turned these passions into Higginson Book Company specializing in printing books on genealogy, family histories, local histories and the Civil War, becoming one of the largest sources in the country.
His understanding of business developed during his early years while being raised on the family chicken farm and later working in the family drugstore.
He was also adept at Chinese cooking, self-taught, and gardening. During the years, he managed to renovate two homes and a business teaching himself carpentry skills. He loved reading books, collecting books, printing books and his family.
Robert is survived by his wife, Sara Harper, his daughter Ana Li; his brother David Murphy and his wife Maureen; and nephews, David and Michael.
Bob amazed me with his very dry sense of humor; his wit, and his vast knowledge of anything military. There was an ocean of wealth in knowledge inside Bob--and when you heard his soft voice with a wry comment, he could make you smile and enjoy the moment well. Reading that he had a book store gave me a mental picture of Bob surrounding himself with his favorite things--books, books, and more books! Know that there's a huge library up there, Bob, and that you are enjoying it immensely!
Dianne May (Stoehrer)
Taken from his obituary in the Salem News:
Robert Alan Murphy, 67, a longtime resident and business owner of Salem, MA passed away March 10, 2013, after a long struggle with cancer.
During his early years in Salem, he owned Robert Murphy Booksellers, dealing with antiquarian books. An avid reader and collector from an early age he next turned these passions into Higginson Book Company specializing in printing books on genealogy, family histories, local histories and the Civil War, becoming one of the largest sources in the country.
His understanding of business developed during his early years while being raised on the family chicken farm and later working in the family drugstore.
He was also adept at Chinese cooking, self-taught, and gardening. During the years, he managed to renovate two homes and a business teaching himself carpentry skills. He loved reading books, collecting books, printing books and his family.
Robert is survived by his wife, Sara Harper, his daughter Ana Li; his brother David Murphy and his wife Maureen; and nephews, David and Michael.
Cathy Wojtkun
Bob amazed me with his very dry sense of humor; his wit, and his vast knowledge of anything military. There was an ocean of wealth in knowledge inside Bob--and when you heard his soft voice with a wry comment, he could make you smile and enjoy the moment well. Reading that he had a book store gave me a mental picture of Bob surrounding himself with his favorite things--books, books, and more books! Know that there's a huge library up there, Bob, and that you are enjoying it immensely!