RESOLUTION 75:05: Memorial for Elder Robert Chandler Mullen

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.(Psalm 16:8-9)

Elder Robert C. Mullen was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1917. The Savior made him His own sometime during his teenage years.

He took his faith with him into World War II and served the country for over twenty years, ending his time of duty as a Lt. Col. in the United States Air Force.

Elder Mullen married Evelyn Grace Romaine in June of 1943, and they lived joyfully together as husband and wife for 67 years, raising two children.

Upon retiring from the Air Force, Bob began teaching in the Tacoma area, eventually becoming a principal and educational leader in the Pierce County School system, bringing the needs of retired teachers to the state legislature. Upon retiring from public education he went on to be one of the founders of Heritage Christian School and later served as its second principal.

His first experience at 5 South G Street had nothing to do with the church. He was a Golden Gloves Boxer, and fought bouts in what is not the main auditorium of the Tacoma Bible Presbyterian Church as a young man.

His relationship with the Tacoma Bible Presbyterian Church in all its various forms began around 1935 and during his years there he served in almost every capacity imaginable: Sunday School teacher, church basketball coach, seminary board member, Heritage Christian School board member, endless committees, and was the only man to serve as an elder under all five of the church’s pastors.

Elder Mullen was a respected and wise counselor to young and old, and loved and served the Lord with his whole heart. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a true love for people.

When it became clear that the Lord was calling him home, his prayer was that he would not “mess it up” somehow at the end – he did not. He lived and died a man of faith, resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary.

His presence is missed by all who knew and loved him, but his memory is a blessed testimony to the grace of God in the life of a man.