Robert L. '(Bob)' Mullen

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Mullen, Robert L. (Bob) Bob died very peacefully at the Hospice Center of Boutwells Landing on September 4, 2016. He was 98 (b. 1/23/1918) and in his own words lived a "very full life" including a life-long career in advertising, antique collecting and international travel with his wife of 71 years, Jeanne (Martin) Mullen (b. 6/5/1921, d. 10/26/2013). He is survived by his 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and his brother Richard (b. 1923). Bob was a Minnesota native graduating from Hamline University in 1942. He and Jeanne were married the next year in Santa Barbara, CA just prior to his leaving for Europe as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. After returning, they had four children (Stephen, Barbara, Bruce and Sandra) all of whom were close to him at his passing. Bob's career path included work at several Minneapolis Ad Agencies as an Account Executive focusing on the food industry. For four years he also had his own agency but later moved to Chicago with the Campbell Mithun agency where he headed up their food service division. In 1971 he left the agency side, returning to Minneapolis to work for Dairy Queen International, first as a Director of Marketing, then as VP of Merchandising until his retirement in 1983. Bob and Jeanne were co-owners of the Rathbun Studio in Minneapolis for 11 years (1973~ 1984), the largest antique, consignment and appraisal business in the Upper-Midwest. This also allowed them to pursue their joint life-long interest in quality early American antiques. After closing the Studio, they began their international travel in earnest. In these later years Bob and Jeanne traveled to 41 different countries across Asia, South America and Europe. They visited their son Steve and his family living in Japan several times and their son Bruce and his family living in Switzerland. But their travels also took them to India, Egypt, Russia, Tibet and even China before it was really open to Americans. Turkey was their combined favorite. Some of their annual travels were to Mazatlan, MX where they had a condominium for over 20 years. Bob was very outgoing, an active conversationalist, but also a wonderful husband and father. He was meticulous in his financial planning and investing. While living at Boutwells for 12 years, he jointly started News & Views, then a resident's investment club, as well as assisting in The Presbyterian Homes annual fund raising. He will be missed greatly.

Published on September 7, 2016