Timothy Joseph Murphy

Tim–also known as Pops, Murph, Mr. Murphy, Grandpa Timmy, Grampy and Gramps–was defined by his great curiosity, enthusiasm and love. He was an inventor, sailor, supporter of good causes, a beloved educator, a chess master, a musician and a staunch believer that almost every process in life could be explained by “Simple Physics!”

Tim was a lifelong Democrat who, as a high school student, registered new Black voters during the Civil Rights Movement and more recently spent countless hours on the phone, getting out the vote. His belief in the power of education drove his career as a high school teacher, a school administrator, and college professor. It wasn’t unusual for former students to reach out–sometimes years later–to let him know how much they appreciated his encouragement, his ideas and his belief in them.

Outside of teaching, his enthusiasm extended to sailing (nearly drowning many a good friend and family in a storm), learning to play his fiddle, fixing and repairing whatever wasn’t working and inventing new things at random. Stories of his homemade solar panels, Erector-set windshield heaters, and the woodstove for his VW bus are legend. Although Tim always enjoyed his food, becoming a committed vegan for many years, he was not a cook. His infamous Goosey Fries left many a belly distended.

Tim was born in Clare on May 17, 1946 and grew up with his sister Carol and brothers, George and Matt. His family later moved to Saginaw, where he graduated Salutatorian at St. Mary’s High School. After graduation, he began his career as a lifelong Spartan with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Physics. His first marriage produced three loving daughters: Kara, Aimée and Holly. For eight years he was in the Physics Department at Bay City Central, before moving to Grand Marais in 1980. There, besides teaching, he cofounded the Superior Shores Software company, an early leader in educational software. He spent his summers at Michigan Tech sharing his love of science and computing with students and educators.

In 1988, Tim met Amy, and she’s still convinced it was the best thing that ever happened to her. They married in 1989 and his family expanded to include her children, Karla and Derek. In Grand Marais, Tim was a member of the volunteer ambulance corps as an EMT for 13 years–but never managed to deliver a baby, although he came close a few times! Later positions as principal and school superintendent took Tim and Amy to several districts across the state. Tim was always looking for new ways to engage his students and as Principal at Houghton High School, he offered his Toyota truck for the art department’s annual project. For years afterwards, his red truck painted in colorful flowers and poetry was an outward sign of Tim’s inner hippy.

Over their 35 years together, Tim and Amy enjoyed a full life of sailing, playing music, participating in fiddle jams, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Through their five children, Tim and Amy were blessed with seventeen grandchildren. Tim tutored many a grandchild in the finer points of Physics and Math.

In the past few years, Tim and Amy kept finding new adventures. They finally made it to Ireland–a lifelong goal of his–where he charmed many an Irish lass. He was an instrumental volunteer for PoWeR! Book Bags, doing everything from building the bag trees and sewing the bags, to delivering books and joyfully passing out books to children at summer events. For many years he and Amy served as the PoWeR! Purchasing Department. As always, his music kept his mind alive, even after his diagnosis with glioblastoma in August. Although fiddling got harder over the last months, his box of harmonicas got very good use as he continued to share his joy–and spirit–with everyone around him. When asked what he’d like his funeral to include, Tim suggested playing a couple of fiddle tunes for everyone.

He was a big-hearted man. He will be very greatly missed. His large and loving family includes: his wife Amy; Kara and David with Veronica, Madelynne, Jonathan, Hannah, Jacqui, and Gracie; Aimée and Johannes with Sofia and Cesia; Holly and Ravi with Anjali, Tulasi and Anukash; Karla and Jim with Jimmy, Ethan, Emma and Kaitie Rose; Derek and Amy with Ian and Heather. Brother Matt Murphy, sister Carol Holeman and sister-in law Alene Murphy along with many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tim’s honor to PoWeR! Book Bags at www.powerbookbags.org or PO Box 533, Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682.

Visitation and a memorial service took place December 10 at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, 3060 W US HWY 10, Ludington, Michigan 49431.

Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington is honored to assist the family during this difficult time, www.OakGroveLudington.com