Robert E. Murray

In loving memory of a life well-lived and deeply cherished.

Obituary

Robert Edwin Murray, aged 66, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Evelyn’s House hospice care in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Bob was born December 9, 1959, in Fremont, Ohio, to the late Ray and Lois (nee Berlekamp) Murray.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia (nee Hess) Murray, daughter Gwendolyn (Michael) Mullinix of St. Louis and daughter Erin Murray (Keith Pendleton) of Kansas City; two grandchildren, Orion Mullinix and Nova Mullinix; two sisters, Rebecca (David) White of Dublin, Ohio, and Elizabeth (David) Crawford of Fremont, Ohio, and a brother, Bradley (Susan) Murray of Fremont, Ohio; two brothers-in-law, William (Tina) Hess of Prospect, Pennsylvania and Greg (Susan) Hess of Tucson, Arizona, a sister-in-law Suzanne (Richard) Wyant of Tipp City, Ohio, and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many dear friends and colleagues.

Bob graduated from Lakota High School of Kansas, Ohio, in 1978, then graduated in 1983 from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, including three six-month summers in California as a co-op student at National Semiconductor. He received his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1993 from Washington University in St. Louis. 

Bob and Patty met at the University of Cincinnati during their sophomore year. They married July 3, 1983, and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, when Bob accepted an engineering position with McDonnell-Douglas, which later merged with Boeing. Bob retired from Boeing in 2016. He then served as a consultant with SimPhonics for eight years, where he continued his work with the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) for Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS), the result of a large industry and government effort starting in the 1990s to standardize a network protocol for simulation interoperability. Bob referred to his weekly SISO phone calls as his “Tuesday Ten O’Clock Telecons.” He was still working on DIS standards at the time he entered hospice.

Bob had a lifelong passion for aviation. Retirement from Boeing allowed him the opportunity to renew his private pilot’s license, which he had earned while in college. He immediately immersed himself in experimental aircraft building, upgrading, and flying through the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 32 at the St. Charles County Airport, also known as Smartt Field. Adding his earlier college flights, Bob logged over 1,000 flying hours. Through the Young Eagles program with EAA Chapter 32, Bob flew 272 kids on free, 20-minute flights to help promote and inspire aviation careers in young people. Young Eagles is the only program of its kind. EAA Chapter 32 pilots have flown 10,000 Young Eagles youth since 1992. Bob had served as the Chapter Treasurer for a little over one year. Flying in either his part-owned RV-10 or RV-12 was Bob’s preferred method of travel. He wasn’t fond of long car trips. He often flew to visit family in Ohio and Kansas City. 

Patty, Gwen, and Erin are forever grateful to the excellent nurses, aides, counselors, staff, and volunteers at Evelyn’s House for the outstanding and expert care Bob received and for maintaining his dignity at such a painful time. All of Bob’s family is grateful for the high-quality, compassionate care he received at Missouri Baptist’s Oncology Department and for the first-rate nursing and patient aide care provided in Missouri Baptist Hospital.

The memorial service will be Monday, August 31, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Hutchens Mortuary, 675 Graham Road, in Florissant. Immediately following the service, a visitation and dinner will be held at Catering to You, 12775 New Halls Ferry Road, also in Florissant. 

Bob was never much of a flowers guy, and he would have been so pleased if, instead of flowers, memorial contributions were made to his beloved EAA Chapter 32. The Chapter has an online portal at:

https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa32/donate

Please look for the yellow button, and there is an instructions link on the page if needed. Checks are welcome, too, payable to “EAA Chapter 32” and mailed to:

EAA Chapter 32
℅ Jim Hall
1 Clayton Estates Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3104

Patty, Gwen, and Erin sincerely wish all family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors will join them on Monday. 

Blue Skies, our dearest Bob.

Hotels

For those traveling from out of town, we’ve listed a few nearby hotels below that we recommend.


Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Airport

Gallery

Memory Wall

September 1, 2026

I remember Bob as one of the designated drivers from our area for after school activities in High School, he was one of the older kids. He was always a responsible driver…blue skies and tailwinds all the way…🛫

Lynne Baranowski (Miller)

August 31, 2026

For more than 15 years, I've had the opportunity to work with the products and standards Mr. Murray developed. The quality and foresight with which they were made set a high bar we all aspire to.
Last month, EAA 32 helped my 12-year-old son climb into a cockpit and experience flight like he never had before. He was, and is, completely smitten with it.
Thank you for inspiring multiple generations of my family with the work you've left behind.

Mike Oller

August 31, 2026

We will deeply miss Bob. His leadership, steady good nature, and sharp intelligence made him someone we all looked up to. We will remember his humor and that unmistakable voice that brightened every Tuesday telecon — he was both entertaining and a skilled engineer. His contributions to our SISO and DIS community will be felt for many years to come. On behalf of Paul, Chris and Mike and everyone at ASTi, we send our heartfelt condolences to the Murray family.

Friends at ASTi

August 31, 2026

Bob was an amazing man, soft spoken and humble, who changed the world and touched countless lives. We are better for having met him and hope he’s enjoying blue skies.

Please accept our condolences and prayers during this time.

Peace,
The Harkins Family

Francis

August 31, 2026

A heartbreaking loss that came WAY too soon. Bob marched to his own drummer (and an interesting drummer at that!) He was generous to take us up for a ride in his plane and we get up there and he goes “here, you fly”… I’m like…“excuse me What?” Both Karen and I will think of Bob every time we hear a small plane fly overhead. We will miss him and our thoughts are with the family.

Greg and Karen Likert

August 30, 2026

Bob and I met at the University of Cincinnati as fellow engineering students. We did our co-op sessions together at National Semiconductor and shared an apartment in California. Those cross country road trips were just the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Although we didn’t see nearly enough of each other over the years since I was on the west coast, more recently as we got older we were able to meet up in Ohio of all places a few times (Bob flew in of course) and it was as much fun as ever. Those memories I now cherish. My thoughts are now with Patty and the family.

Lynn Rupp

August 29, 2026

Even though Bob is my 1st cousin I realized after reading his obituary, that there was alot I never knew about him. We gathered for family occasions and cousin reunions, but he really never shared all his accomplishments. He always liked to have a good time and had a great personality. A funny story was at my son Jason's wedding. We all stayed at the same hotel. Bob saw who he thought was my husband Richard and said hi. No response! It was instead Richard's twin brother Bob. Bob said later he thought Richard was being stuck up but soon remembered how much they look alike.

Mary Christine Keintz

August 28, 2026

Bob, you were always a great friend and an engineer that we all looked up to. A genuine and valued fellow Fellow (he knows what i mean). Your passing is a great loss to us all.

Brian Raver

August 28, 2026

I first met Bob shortly after I began my career at Boeing. The software solutions he created were practically a standard, used across all flight simulators in ways that Bob probably hadn't thought of. His mastery of taking complicated problems and creating simple solutions for anyone to use was incredible. For over a decade before he retired, I was in regular contact with him. He offered his advice and guidance freely and gracefully. Bob was always pleasant to work with and talk to. Often a five minute conversation would go on for hours, with each passing minute I learned more. I recently reconnected with Bob at SISO, and it was as if we had just spoken minutes ago, even though it had been 10 years. Bob was a teacher, mentor, and above all a friend. The software he created remains the core foundation of simulation at Boeing. The impact of his work is global. He will be missed.

Phillip Glass

August 28, 2026

Bob and I were very close from the time we started kindergarten. I had the opportunity to watch him blossom as an intellectual through many years of playing together, overnight visits with each other....and even a trip to California that I took with him when he was driving out to his Co-op for the University of Cincinnati. I hope to some day finish our trip through Carlsbad Caverns so I can see the "second half" of the cave that we missed!!!..LOL! I just saw him about a year ago here in Fremont....and it was just like always, a seamless conversation with an old friend. The bonds we make as young individuals may not be tested often....but they always seem to be the strongest. I'm so sorry for Patty and the family...I hope the memories they have will always bring a smile to their faces too.....

David M. Watson

August 28, 2026

My deepest condolences to the whole family. Brad was in my graduating class at Lakota.
I never knew Bob… just the stories I’ve heard from Brad, sounds like a amazing man.

Amy Souder

August 27, 2026

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Mona Hebert

August 27, 2026

Bob was a very kind man with loads of talent. When all of us played Pictionary at my house on game night, he never disappointed. His art work was unforgettable. I can still see his drawing of a man scratching his very red backside. When we stopped laughing, it did not take us long to guess the word “rash.” I will miss you Bob. We all will. No one can take your place❣️

Cindy Weis

August 27, 2026

My deepest condolences and sympathies to the Murray family. I have many fond memories of Bob-too many to list here, but a couple of my most favorite memories involving camping with Bob at Oshkosh and flying with him as he took aerial photos of his home. The flight where Bob took the photos involved very tight airspace to the side of us and above us with tall towers below us. It took both sets of eyes to make sure that we threaded the needle perfectly. We did so without question! He "paid" me back for that flight with a flight in the RV-10 up to dinner in Quincy. So many memories-I will greatly miss my friend. Again, my deepest condolences to his family. He was a great man!

Jeff Stephenson

August 27, 2026

I'll never forget Bob's 30th work anniversary, where he chose to host a dinner party at his home. It was outside the norm for Boeing anniversary celebrations, but a memorable event for all present, by far the best work anniversary celebration I ever attended. That is how I will always remember Bob: gracious and able to produce very meaningful things by thinking outside the box. He has left quite a legacy, in both his personal and professional lives, and I am honored that I could be part of that.

Charlie Grames

August 26, 2026

We will miss Bob, our friend and neighbor. He made our game nights fun and interesting with his dry wit and sense of humor. If he didn’t like the game rules he just made up his own rules. Patty, Erin and Gwen you are in our prayers at this sad time.

Dave and Pat Crow

August 26, 2026

Bob was the absolute best! I have fond memories of sleepovers with the Murray’s- inclusive of mac and cheese and milk for dinner.. with amazing stories from Bob. He was so kind and loving. Sending all prayers to you all during this difficult time.

Dainielle Fox

August 26, 2026

When we think of Bob, we immediately think of his smile, his laughter, and his extraordinary intelligence. Truly a wonderful person.

Greg and Susan Hess

August 26, 2026

Dear Murray Family. I will treasure my memories of Bob always.Sending you all hugs and love.

Dolores Chappell

August 25, 2026

Patty, Gwen, and Erin, Thinking of all of you and sending so much love. Bob was such a wonderful person, and I’ll always remember his amazing stories, and all the times he made me laugh. He will be deeply missed. ❤️

Kelly Ann Wyant-Todorov

August 25, 2026

Lisa and I first met Bob and Patty through a mutual friend shortly after we moved into the neighborhood almost 30 years ago. Bob and I then crossed paths at work when he helped me with a tricky aircraft simulation issue. Bob had that unique gift of being able to comprehend incredibly complex concepts and then be able to articulate those concepts in understandable ways for the rest of us. Bob retired in 2016, but some of the software he wrote is still in use today and likely will be for a long, long time. I will miss the advice he would give me, whether if it was how to fix a problem at work or one around the house. I’ll miss him regularly stopping out in front of the house just to talk. He was always friendly and helpful. I will miss him at game night, where I will miss his offers for just a little more whisky. I will miss my resident expert. I will miss my neighbor. I will miss my friend.

Kurt Esker

August 25, 2026

I am so sorry for your loss! My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time

Robin Minich

August 25, 2026

My sincere condolences Cousin Patty and family.
Nagoya again in his honor.
Blue Skies and Fair Winds Bob.

Jeff Uhlman

August 25, 2026

I’ll never cut down another tree with out thinking of Bob,
The next door neighbor.

Ted Dachroeden

August 25, 2026

Heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May your wonderful memories bring you some peace during this time of great loss.

Kelly Shick Barrow

August 25, 2026

I will miss my Uncle Bob so much; he brought so much joy and levity to our family gatherings over the years. He showed us how to strike out on our own, and how to be successful in a field that most of us still don’t fully understand. He was always there with a science fact or tip, but also with encouragement and experience. Bob’s success at work was beyond measure and truly inspired me to live my life as I wanted to, not just confined to what was geographically nearby. He was always kind, raised two amazing daughters, and helped raise two fantastic grandchildren. It’s not secret that he was smart (genius in fact) but he never made anyone feel small because they didn’t know what he knew; rather he instilled curiosity and the confidence to go out and learn. I will miss my uncle very much but his spirit truly lives on in all of us and I know he played a substantial role in my life, which I am so grateful. Love you, Bob and I’ll always think of you when I have a single malt.

Joe Crawford

August 25, 2026

I will think of you often, especially when I have a wee dram of single-malt.

Jim Leighninger

Service