Robert Samuel McMurdock

Robert Samuel McMurdock was born on February 29, 1940, in Bangalore, India, the son of Robert and Rebecca (Hutton) McMurdock.  His family moved to Belfast, Ireland after WWII.  Robert went to school in Ireland and then attended Faith Mission College in Edinburgh, Scotland, under the tutelage of a famous revivalist, Duncan Campbell.  He then did mission work with children in Scotland and later pastored a church in Blackpool, England.  Robert went to the US and received a Masters’ Degree from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.  He was then called to Taiwan and was a missionary for 8 years among aboriginal tribes and then spent another 8 years as the Dean and President of Nazarene Theological College in Taiwan.  Robert then returned to the US and pastored a Chinese speaking church in Anchorage, Alaska.  While in Anchorage, he met Claudia Kancius Miller, and they were married on July 29, 1996.  The couple made their home in Waterloo.  Robert then pastored Heartland Community Church in LaPorte City, Faith Wesleyan Church in Cedar Falls, and founded the Church of Promise near Buckingham.  After retiring from pastoring, Robert worked for 7 years as a chaplain with Cedar Valley Hospice until 2020.  He was beloved by many people and was always considered a humble and caring person.  He always had time for people, especially over a cup of coffee.  Robert died at the age of 83 on May 1, 2023, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Thomas McMurdock; a sister, Vera Crawford; and a beloved stepfather, Richard Johnson.  Robert will be dearly missed by his wife; 2 sons, Dax (Marissa) Miller of Waterloo and Christopher (Joanie) Miller of Dike; 7 grandchildren, Brianna, Emery, Michael, Moxcyn, Janessa, Lily, and Brextin; a sister, Carol Elizabeth MacKinnon of Vancouver, Canada; a special cousin, Ruby of Belfast, Ireland; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The funeral will be on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 10:30 AM, at Cedar Valley Community Church.  The burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  The visitation will be on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, also at Cedar Valley Community Church.  Please direct memorials to Robert's family, a donation will be made at a later date.