Charles Robert “Bob” McMullen of Pilot Rock died on Jan. 31, 2023 in Hermiston at the age of 83.
He was born on March 16, 1939 in Dover, N.J. to William Ralph McMullen and Malvina Louis Jacobs McMullen.
Robert attended grades K-4 at Mine Hill School in Mine Hill, N.J. Then after his father passed away in 1948 when Robert was age 9, the family moved to the Baldwin Park area of Los Angeles, Calif. He attended grades 5-8 in the Maywood and Baldwin Park schools in California. Then he attended junior high in Huntington Park, Calif. He attended high school at Bell High School in Bell, Calif. He worked part time during junior high and high school at CKEH Catering.
Robert entered the Marine Corps on March 16, 1956. After boot camp in San Diego, Calif., he attended Aviation Mechanics School in Jacksonville, Fla. and then was stationed at Air Station Mars 17 Quantico, Va.
Robert married Ruth Etta Hutchison on July 13, 1968. He and Ruth had two children, April Dawn McMullen born on March 14, 1969 and Charles Robert McMullen II born on Feb. 8, 1970.
Robert worked as a mechanic millwright for 40 years. He worked for Lamb Weston in Connell, Wash., Pridepak Foods in Richland, Wash., and U & I Sugar in Moses Lake, Wash. In 1979 he moved his family to Pilot Rock and went to work for Masonite Corporation until its closing in 2000. He retired at age 61 due to the mill’s closing.
Robert was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved attending church, but especially enjoyed church dinners. He played the part of Santa Claus for the children at Christmas socials for several years. He loved to go on trips with Ruth to visit family and see the country. He also loved making woodwork projects such as clocks, wishing wells, wooden flowers and children’s toys like scaled-down models of cars and trucks. He also made some outdoor furniture. Robert was widowed with Ruth’s passing on Aug. 6, 2019.
Robert is survived by siblings, Margo Mayer of San Marcos, Calif. and Patricia Ann Lewis of Wenatchee, Wash.; son, Bobby McMullen of Montrose, Colo.; daughter, April of Longview, Wash.; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William Ralph McMullen.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. at Pilot Rock Cemetery.
Please share memories of Bob with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
