Robert Blaine Murray

"Go confidently in the direction of your Dreams.

Live the life you have imagined.”  Thoreau

Bob went to the big hangar in the sky on June 28, 2017, at the age of 88.  Man oh man, did he kick in the afterburners during his departure from this life, leaving us gazing heavenward to catch the last glimmer of the silver wings that carried him home.  He believed he died of T.M.B (too many birthdays), but complications post operatively and, no doubt, a broken heart contributed, having lost his beloved wife of 64 years just 13 days prior.

Bob was the fourth son of David Parker Murray and Mabel Shipley.  He was born on August 13, 1928 in Logan, Utah.  He grew up understanding the value of a dollar, and tirelessly instructed and indoctrinated his family and offspring.  This passion was born of growing up in a home where his mother cared for his father who, following a heart attack, was unable to work. He understood the principle of giving an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage, delivering newspapers, and mowing lawns for 25 cents in his childhood. 

He graduated from Logan High School in 1946 where he was active in student government and sports (claimed to still hold record for longest punt regardless of the facts).  After high school he enlisted in the Army spending most of his Army career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the 82nd Airborne Division and the U.S. Military Prep School at Stewart Air Force Base, Newburgh, New York.  He was discharged from the Army in 1947 and subsequently enrolled at Utah State University, graduating in 1951 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was commissioned in the United States Air Force, being smart enough to want to fly a perfectly good airplane, instead of jump out of one.

While at USU, he lettered in football (freshman), skiing and golf.  He was member of Alpha Sigma Nu and Blue Key Honor Society and was president of the local chapter of Sigma Chi. He has been recognized as a “Significant Sig” and was honored as a Distinguished USU Alumnus in 2006 for his support of the University and never wavered in his loyalty as a True Aggie.

After USU, Bob went through pilot training in single engine jet fighters.  He flew 100 combat missions over North Korea in F-80s, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three clusters.  He was fiercely loyal to his country and appreciated deeply and intimately, that freedom was purchased with the blood of men and women, his friends, who loved their country more than life. He lived and epitomized the American Dream. 

After his military service, Bob was admitted to Harvard Business School, graduating in 1957 with an MBA.  Most of Bob’s business career was spent as a self-employed entrepreneur.  He loved a good challenge.  His work ethic and drive to accomplish goals was unparalleled. “Peddler” was a name he held in high regard because he believed “nothing happens until something is sold.”  He lived and embodied the statement, “Audentes Fortuna Juvat”  “Fortune Favors the Bold”.  He loved and embraced learning, and shared that with his children and students. 

He was part owner and operator of Boyd Martin Company, Miller Wholesale Floral, Country Club Foods, Steve Reagan Company and Mountain West Machinery with his partners whom he loved and admired. He served on the board of several banks, businesses and financial institutions.  In his retirement, he taught 14 years as an adjunct professor at BYU in the Marriott School of Management. He was voted Teacher of the Year, seven of these 14 years.  Ironically, his text for his classes was “What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School” (Mark McCormick). His lessons shared with his students were backed up by decades of profit & loss responsibility accompanied by sleepless nights of wondering how he was going to make payroll the next day. 

Big Bob was keenly interested in the success of all who cared to sit by his side or around the bar in his kitchen as he held “court”, sharing lessons and principles learned in the school of hard knocks, in the cockpit of a fighter jet, or in the hallowed halls of learning.  He was free with his advice, and always reminded those present that this was his opinion and was free, and certainly may be worth exactly what the listener paid for it, “that and two bits will get you a cup of coffee”.  His advice, counsel and teachings were invaluable. 

Bob loved, encouraged, and supported his posterity in all their activities, relishing in their successes and was sympathetic in their disappointments.  He also enjoyed his golf and tennis paradise as a snow bird in Palm Desert every year from Nov-March. 

Bob married Beverlee Zollinger on Sept. 11, 1953, and was her loyal, loving, and faithful companion for 64 years.  Bob was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and lifted where he stood.  He never gave up seeking to know and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Bob was preceded in death by Beverlee (June 15, 2017), by his parents and three brothers, Dave Jr., Guy, and Paul.  He is survived by his children, Holly Weston (Burdette) Laketown, UT, R. Pepper Murray (Rachelle) Bountiful, UT, R. Taz Murray (Tamera) Provo, UT, Timothy Z. Murray (Tracy) Evergreen, CO, Robin McClellan (Clark) Vernal, UT, 21 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, with several more “in the oven”. 

A viewing will be held, Sunday (July 2) at Russon Mortuary from 6-7 p.m., 295 N. Main St., Bountiful.  Funeral services will be held at the Bountiful Canyon Park Ward Chapel, 1190 East, Bountiful Hills Drive at 1200 hours “high noon”, on July 3rd.  Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. that same day.  Burial at Lakeview Cemetery will be with full Military Honors. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.

 The family thanks all the dedicated health care professionals who cared for him with such tenderness and skill in his last hours.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Huntsman School of Business Scholarship Fund or LDS humanitarian services. 

As Bob would say, “Let’r rip!”