Bob Eugene Murdock, Sr
The Rev. Mr. Bob Eugene Murdock, Sr. died peacefully on July 29, 2015, at Piedmont Medical Center at the age of 85 years. He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Peggy Beard Murdock, his three children Kathleen Murdock (Mike) of Nicaragua and the Center for Development in Central America, Bob Murdock, Jr. (Robin), of Huntersville, NC and Roderick “Rod” Murdock (Cindy), of Rock Hill, SC, his nine grandchildren Gloria (Travis), Bob III, Jonathan (Marissa), Ashley, Coury, Daniel, Joseph, Thomas “Tiff” Jessica and his four great grandchildren Cadence, Anna, Charlotte and Elliot.
Rev. Murdock graduated from Erskine College in 1958 and Erskine Theological Seminary in 1961 while being husband and father to his family. After graduation he served as chaplain in the U.S. Army. After his service in the military he accepted a call to be the minister of two Presbyterian U.S. churches: Ridgecrest and Oakboro near Albemarle, NC, from 1963-1970. While there he assisted in starting a volunteer fire department and served as its first fire chief.
From 1970 until 1992 he served the Glenwood Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Charlotte during which time he helped them construct and relocate into a new church facility. Glenwood became the first ARP church in the denomination to accept and integrate African Americans into membership since the Civil War. The church also established a food program for those in need.
In 1992 Bob and Peggy accepted positions as professors in China at the Guangzhou International University of Foreign Trade and the Shandong University of Technology in Jinan where they taught English as a second language for almost five years. In 1994 Bob was named Teacher of Year.
After retiring Rev. Murdock supplied Hopewell ARP Church (Blackstock, SC) and contributed children’s sermons to Preaching/Word Witness. In 2003 he wrote a book of children’s sermons, Come on Down, to benefit the Protestant Seminary in Jinan, China and the Center for Development in Central America.
Rev. Murdock will be remembered by his congregations as a great storyteller who could make the stories of the Bible come alive and have meaning, as an easy-going visitor in their homes, as an understanding pastor in times of sickness and death, and as one who believed deeply in the Church’s acceptance of all people. He will be remembered by his friends as someone who could make them laugh, who crooned “White Christmas” and “Blue Christmas”, and lightened their hearts. He will be remembered by his family as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was truly a one-of-a-kind gift from God.
Rev. Murdock was asked a month before he died what was the most fun thing he ever did. He replied, “Chasing my wife.” Peggy was his beloved, his cherished, and she will remember him as her own beloved and cherished.