Robert E. Hurley

On a bright sunny day a few years ago, a healthy and happy Bob expressed his plan to never die but admitted the odds were not in his favor. On June 21, 2024 at age 88, Bob succumbed to those odds while surrounded by the love and care of his family and friends.

Robert Emory Hurley was born in Phoenix, AZ where he lived his entire life. He was the 3rd of 4 children of Emory Joseph Hurley and Helen Plath Hurley. Bob was very proud of his pioneer family heritage. His grandfather, Patrick T. Hurley, came to Phoenix in 1881 with $4 sewn into his clothes. His grandfather, Dr. Otto E. Plath, came in the 1890’s to practice medicine and in 1910 built the home that Bob grew up in. Bob graduated from Emerson grade school, North Phoenix High School, Stanford University, and Stanford Law School. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate from R.O.T.C. in college and was a 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Artillery Division. After law school and military service, in 1960 he joined the Phoenix law firm Jennings, Strouss, Salmon and Trask where he practiced as a partner until 1985. He retired to attend to the family land business until his death. He served on the Council and Board of the Salt River Valley Water Users Association and Salt River Project and served as President of the Agri-Business Council of Arizona. Bob’s intelligence, integrity and compassion created success in business and in life. A reporter once said Bob “walks like a farmer and seals his deals with a handshake”.

Bob lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed water skiing, boating, camping, and skeet shooting throughout his life and loved spending summers in Newport Beach. He did a grand tour of Europe in a VW bug in his 20’s, paddlewheel steamboat cruises on the Mississippi River in his 50’s, ziplining and bike tours in Europe in his 80’s.

Bob had many hobbies and interests. He had a passion for Corvettes, and he acquired many over his lifetime. He attended the Corvette Spring Mountain performance driving school at age 84. He gave away Corvettes to family and friends wanting them to share in his joy. He also loved reading, especially history and war stories. His attention to detail carried over to his precision work on telescopes, clocks, ham radio, and to his admiration of Native American art and jewelry. He supported Native American artists and gave jewelry to many fortunate female family and friends who attended Heard Museum fairs with him.

Bob’s first wife, Jo Gene Griffin Hurley, predeceased him in 2012 after 44 years of marriage. He is survived by his second wife Karen Buxton Hurley, whom he married in 2018. He is also survived by two sons and their families: Griffin and Andy (Amanda) Hurley, grandchildren Kaelah Hurley-Davidson Zastrow (Zachary), Eli, Cassidy, Alyssa, and Alexandra Hurley and one great-granddaughter, Vienna Zastrow.

Bob will be remembered for his love of family and friends, his generous spirit, and his dry sense of humor. His death will leave a Bobby-sized hole in our hearts.

The family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Valley or the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. On Tuesday, July 2nd, visitation will be from 9-10 a.m., and a memorial service from 10-11 a.m., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd. These will be followed by a brief interment service at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street. A reception will immediately follow at Phoenix Country Club, 2901 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85014.