Robert P Mullins

Robert “Bob” Patterson Mullins, age 71, of Worthington, OH died at home on Monday, March 9 after a long battle with cancer. He served in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam, and retired from the Ohio Education Association. Over the years, he was a teacher, labor advocate, civil rights organizer, photographer, writer, private pilot and loving husband, father and grandfather. He is preceded in death by parents Merwyn L. and Lillian G. Mullins and sister Joann Bond. He is survived by wife Suzanne “Sue” Mullins, brothers James “Jim” Mullins (Jackie) and Thomas “Tom” Mullins, sons Darrel (Michelle) of Des Moines, IA and Richard (Robin) of Tampa, FL and grandchildren Ethan, Ryan, Anna, and Tessa. Bob graduated from George Rogers Clark High School, Hammond, IN, and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana State University. He worked toward a master’s degree from Indiana University/Purdue University, Calumet Campus. While a young man, Bob was part of civil rights group from Terre Haute, IN, who traveled to Albany, GA to establish “Freedom School” and register African Americans to vote under the new Voting Rights Act of 1965. After college, Bob taught English and social studies in Hammond public schools. He later worked as a field representative for the Indiana State Teachers Association, and for 25 years with the Ohio Education Association, primarily as a communications consultant assisting local teachers with crisis situations. He was a long-time member of Worthington United Methodist Church and helped establish the Interfaith Hospitality Network, serving as chair of its Administrative Council. He was an avid private pilot and member of both the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association. Over 53 years of flying, he flew to Washington, Chicago, New Orleans and Denver, and once successfully landed in a field near Hays, KS, when the engine on his plane failed. He volunteered with the EAA’s World War II B-17 bomber touring the Midwest and East Coast, and recently had the great pleasure of flying a P-51 “Mustang” aircraft in Florida. Bob’s great love was being with his grandchildren and watching them grow. Sons Darrel and Richard have grown to become wonderful adults with outstanding professions. Bob’s greatest joy has been his wife and life partner, Sue, who defined “in sickness and in health.” A family gathering will be planned in the future. Instead of flowers, donations to your favorite charity are encouraged. Some of Bob’s were: American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Southern Poverty Law Center, Ohio PIRG, US Air Force Museum and the ASPCA.

Robert P Mullins

August 22, 1943 - March 9, 2015