Robert H. Murchie, 87, of Cando, ND passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando, ND. Services will be on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Cando United Methodist Church with Dr. Timothy McDowell officiating. Visitation will be from 6 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home in Cando and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the spring at the Sarles Cemetery with full military honors.

Robert Henry Murchie was born in Sarles, ND on September 22nd, 1936 to Peter and Marian (Doty) Murchie.

He quickly became a valuable contributor to the family farm.  He had a tremendous amount of respect and love for animals.  He cared for and enjoyed many types of livestock and pets.

He graduated Valedictorian from Sarles (ND) High School in 1954.  He had many cherished friendships and often shared fond memories of his time there.

Bob enlisted in the US Air Force in 1955 serving four years of active duty at bases in Colorado, Wisconsin, Newfoundland, and Texas.  He served an additional two years in the USAF Reserves.  He was honorably discharged in 1961.

During his Air Force stint in Madison, Wisconsin, he began his courtship with Lois Jean Palmer in Guttenberg, Iowa.  They were married there on August 4th, 1958. Soon afterward, Bob was transferred to a base in Texas where they welcomed their firstborn, Brian James.  Once his active obligation to the Air Force was complete, they came to Sarles and took over the family farm west of town.  In 1962, a daughter, Diane Lynne, was born and in 1964, their third child, Bradley Jay.

Bob was a very hardworking farmer.  He possessed an incredible ability to repair, build, and create.  Additionally, his terrific math and accounting skills afforded him the ability to do nearly all his own record keeping.  In 1973-74 he provided his family with a new home.  He did much of the work himself.  He taught himself many things about construction such as wiring, framing, and plumbing.

Adverse circumstances in the mid-1980s caused a need to transition away from farming.  Bob and Lois moved to Devils Lake in 1986.  He enrolled at Lake Region JC and achieved an Associate's degree in Carpentry & Cabinet Making.  During their time there, they managed Ziebach Campground.

In 1988, they moved to Grafton.  There, Bob put his life experience and education to good use working with various construction firms and as a farm associate for Thompson Farms.  Later, in 1996, he was hired as a quality control specialist at Marvin Windows and retired from there in 2008.  The two of them moved to Cando that same year.  Shortly afterward, his beloved wife Lois passed away.

Despite being alone, Bob kept very busy.  He built an extensive woodworking shop in his basement.  He accumulated a vast number of tools and equipment.  Over the years, he built countless items such as furniture, cabinets, and more.  He became a prolific wood turner.  He created hundreds of elaborate bowls, wooden pens, toys, and other items on his wood lathe. He gifted many of those treasures to family and friends.

In his later years, he was slowed somewhat by health concerns but that did not deter him from meticulously caring for his possessions.  In addition, he gladly and willingly shared these talents with others.

Besides woodworking Bob loved to fish, ride his bike, tend his garden, and care for his lawn. He never stopped being incredibly innovative.  He had an extensive array of tools and gadgets many of which he made himself.

Bob's most prized possession was his family. He was very close to his brother Dan. He was always quick to offer support and encouragement to his kids and was always humble and appreciative in accepting assistance offered to him. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They simply filled him with great joy. He could not possibly have loved them more.

Robert Murchie was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Marian and his wife Lois.

He is survived by his brother Dan Murchie of Omaha, Nebraska. His children, Brian Murchie (Lori) of Cando.  Diane (Steve) O'Brien of Sarles. Brad Murchie of West Fargo.

His grandchildren, Kyle Murchie (Shayla) of Ammon, Idaho. Shawn Murchie (Cassidi) of Cando. Kristin Murchie of Ammon, Idaho. Ashlee Collison (Cory) of Devils Lake. Luke Manning of Valley City, ND. Samantha Myhre of Leander, Texas. Breanne Murchie (Tom) of Chicago, IL. Bryce Murchie of Fargo, ND.  Blake Murchie of Fargo, ND.  In addition, he had seven great-grandchildren.

Robert H. Murchie entered eternal rest, receiving his heavenly reward on April 4th, 2024.