Bob Murphy
May 15, 2018
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ISSUE:
- Veterans Hall of Fame
Bob Murphy has been a lifelong New York resident. His commitment to improving the lives of others has reached across the spectrum, serving his community and his country for more than 40 years. Born in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Mr. Murphy attended St. Michael’s grammar school and the former Alexander Hamilton High School.
After high school, Mr. Murphy spent a year as an architectural draftsman before volunteering for the United States Air Force at age 19 in 1966. He went on to boot camp and additional specialized training in Texas, where he became an aviation mechanic, trained to work on F101 and B57 aircraft. He served at bases across the world, including in Westhampton, New York; Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Florida and Iceland. He ultimately attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as a flight line chief before leaving the service in 1970.
After the Air Force, Mr. Murphy attended Farmingdale State and Brooklyn College, and ultimately graduated from the College of Insurance. He went to work for the Empire Insurance Group, where he rose through the ranks and became Vice President of Claims.
While at Empire Insurance, he met his wife, Sally, and they married in 1983. Together they share four boys – Jason, who graduated from Fordham University and recently married; Christopher, who graduated from Hunter College; Michael, who granted from Baruch College; and Timothy, who is currently attending LaGuardia Community College.
Mr. Murphy has been a long-time community volunteer. Since 2003, he has served as President of NYICYP, a youth sports program in Queens. NYICYP has programs in baseball, teeball, softball, and football. He has worked to involve students from St. John’s Prep, PS 101, PS 85, and other schools in the league.