11/30/2021
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of our dear Santa Bob, Robert Murphy.
From my personal page:
When I think of Santa Bob Robert Murphy many things come to mind. How much he loved his family, Jesus, giving, and Christmas. For 8 years I had the pleasure of working side by side with him in my studio every Christmas season. I witnessed him recite “The Night Before Christmas” dozens of times off the top of his head, watched him be brought to tears of happiness when holding a brand new baby or getting a hug and smile from a child with special needs. Year after year we donated sessions to special needs families and he would always attempt to pay me money from his own pocket. I always insisted we were donating our time together but his kindness was so genuine.
Throughout the year when it was not Christmas, he always kept in touch asking how Grace and my family were, to make sure my boyfriend was treating me well and tease me that he needed to be invited to my wedding.
For years we photographed hundreds of families and they all came back for Santa Bob. Everyone he met heard about the love of his life Pat, his daughters, and his grandchildren he adored. He donated so much of his time to help so many charities including an event for my nephew Aaden. He attended workshops to learn how to interact with children that were deaf and also how to interact with autistic children. He donated many hours of his time to St Jude’s events. I never knew where he found the energy. It didn’t matter how many hours he put in, he showed up and he was magic. For every single child. Oftentimes parents would whisper, “you’re so amazing you’re making me believe in Santa again.” He would get so serious, look them in the eye and say “you should never stop believing. The spirit of Christmas is in your heart.”
To know Santa Bob was to love him. He loved harder than anyone I’ve ever met. He prayed for everyone around him. He embraced the magic of Christmas and poured it into every family he met, no matter if it was July or December.
My heart aches that we have lost such a kind, genuine soul. He was an Angel on earth that is now an Angel in heaven.
He left a huge footprint on my heart and on this earth. He will be forever missed.
Please share your memories with Santa Bob below and I will tag his daughters to see just how special he was.