Robert Whitten Murdoch's Obituary
With deep sadness, the Murdoch Family is heartbroken to announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Whitten Murdoch, age 89, of Whitehall Borough on June 6, 2026. He was born on March 21, 1937, in Munhall to Julia and Thomas Murdoch. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Thomas Murdoch. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Eleanore (El) Louise Murdoch (Uram), who passed away on March 11, 2026. Bob died peacefully with his son, Robert (RJ) John Murdoch by his bedside.
Bob is survived by his son, brother, Alan Murdoch, sister-in-law, Corinne Murdoch, daughter-in-law, Jenafer Murdoch, step-grandchildren, Austin and Katelyn Lewis, and numerous extended family.
Bob attended Munhall High School, graduating in 1955. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1960 with degrees in Pre-law and Sociology. While at Pitt, he was also a three-year letterman with the school's varsity soccer team and was named to the Third Team Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware All College Soccer Squad in 1959.
Prior to attending law school, Bob served in the United States Army Reserves for 8 years (1960-1968), with 6 months on active duty and 7 ½ years in the Reserves. He was transferred from the Army Security Agency into the 446th Military Intelligence Detachment which met at Duquesne University. In 1964, he received a commission as a Second Lieutenant which he served in Military Intelligence as a Mobilization Designee. His security clearance was top secret, and he received an honorable discharge from Military Intelligence in September 1968.
He later attended Duquesne University School of Law prior to passing the Pennsylvania Bar Examination in 1967. During his 55 years of law practice, he became a partner at four different Pittsburgh law firms before retiring from full-time practice in 2011. Specializing in medical malpractice defense, Bob participated as lead counsel in over 200 jury trials. He also took great pleasure practicing in the areas of admiralty/maritime, product liability, aviation, railroad and workers' compensation. Following retirement from the full-time practice of law, he served as an advisor and teacher to many attorneys, including his son. Bob took great delight in passing down his wealth of legal knowledge to those around him before completely retiring in 2022.
Bob's greatest legal achievement was successfully arguing before the Supreme Court of the United States the first case that involved the application of inflation to future lost earnings and alternative measures of damages.
Outside of his work, he took great pride and pleasure in celebrating his Scottish heritage. Bob's father was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and came to the United States in 1922. His father became well known in Pittsburgh as Pittsburgh's Scottish Tenor and throughout surrounding states. Bob naturally fell in love with all things Scottish and joined in all the Scottish traditions that his family enjoyed. When his father passed away, Bob became the "Tartan Tenor" and sang at many Scottish functions in the tri-state area. He was able to records a CD of 24 well known Scottish airs and provided a number of his CD's to the University of Pittsburgh's Nationality Room Scholarship Program so that any funds they received for a sale of his CD would go to that program.
He held the position of Chairman of the Scottish Nationality Room for 17 years among his many Scottish interests that were far reaching and numerous, in Pittsburgh, as well as other states and Scotland. In 1998, he was asked by members of the Scottish Coalition, which is made up of eight national Scottish-American groups, to become the First National Chairman for Tartan Day in the United States. The Coalition had decided that Tartan Day would be formed and celebrated to commemorate the countless Scots and Scottish-Americans for the numerous contributions to all aspects of civilization as we know it today. The date of April 6th was chosen since that was the date the Declaration of Arbroath was written in the year 1320, in which Scotland declared its independence from England.
He agreed to accept the invitation to act as the National Chairman and held that position for 13 years. As of 2013, he became the National Chairman Emeritus and held that title until the time of his passing.
Former United States Senator Trent Lott addressed his colleagues in 1998 about the idea of Tartan Day coming into fruition. From that starting point, all three branches of the United States government joined in the creation of Tartan Day. The House of Representatives passed H. Res. 41 on March 9, 2005 recognizing Tartan Day. The United States Senate had passed a similar Resolution earlier, S. Res. 155 on March 20, 1998 and President George W. Bush issued a Proclamation stating that April 6, 2008 was to be Tartan Day. Tartan Day, which was first discussed in 1977 by representatives from eight Scottish-American organizations as an idea, is now a day celebrated throughout the world. Bob took great pride in helping this come to fruition.
Despite all of his professional accomplishments, Bob will be remembered most for his passion for his family and for being a kind, loyal, humble and honorable human being. Anyone who had the pleasure of getting to know Bob had nothing but kind words to say about him. He also possessed a sincere benevolence, going out of his way to assist those around him and make their lives better. He additionally commanded a deadpan sense of humor that always brought laughs to everyone he met.
Above all else, he was a dedicated caretaker for his loved ones and made significant sacrifices to improve the lives of his family. When his wife lost the ability to walk 20+ years ago, Bob focused the remainder of his life to being her companion and attendant, and ensuring that she still had the ability to participate fully in life. He was truly selfless. He was a loving and devoted father and husband, and was a constant positive, motivating and supportive force in their lives. He was also the ultimate role model and guide to his son.
Bob will be greatly missed. His legacy will live on through his loved ones, who will carry on his love, kindness, duty and devotion. He was an absolute king among fathers, and the world will never be the same place without him. He will forever be missed.
Services were private. Interment at Jefferson Memorial Park. Arrangements handled by Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 412-655-4501, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. If desired, family suggests contributions to The Hydrocephalus Association, Rockledge Drive, Suite 740, North Bethesda, MD 20817.
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