Heaven received a beautiful soul. Robert J. Mullen passed peacefully with Maureen by his side on April 25, 2026, at the age of 83.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved parents, John and Julie Buhle Mullen, and sister Jeanne Marie (Byrne) Mullen. He leaves behind Maureen Mullen, loving spouse of 50 years, daughter Michelle Mullen, son Jerry Mullen (Carli), and granddaughter Macy Mullen-Racca.

Bob was born and raised in San Francisco. His home was on Hamilton Street in the Portola District where he grew up with neighbors becoming lifelong friends with George Johnson, Frank Falzon and Judy Schredl.

He attended grammar school at St. Elizabeth's and St. Ignatius High School where his love of football began. He played on the '58-championship team at Kezar Stadium on Thanksgiving Day and thereafter met regularly with team members for lunch in the city making special memories along the way.

After graduating from St. Ignatius High School in 1960 Bob went on to attend U.C. Berkeley. He was a pre-dental major before taking a class in agriculture. Soon thereafter he transferred to U.C. Davis to delve into his newfound passion for agriculture, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture in 1966. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association. He was a life member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity at Berkeley. It was there that he collected other lifelong friends in Jerry Fry and Mike Chase. Bob played freshman football and rugby at Cal and rugby at Davis. His passion for Cal football never waned and he became a lifelong Golden Bears fan!

After college in 1967 Bob attended U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and was commissioned an Ensign. He was appointed Lieutenant Junior in 1969. He served as a Deck and Weapons officer aboard the USS Stone County (LST 11412) and on the COMLANSHIPRON ONE staff, as well as a period of time as a Naval Security Officer in DeNang, South Vietnam. He was selected to Lt. Commander in 1982. Upon completion of active-duty service Bob returned to civilian life and served in the Naval Reserves for 12 years, retiring as Lt. Commander in 1994.

In 1970 Bob began his 40-year career as a Farm Advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension Service working in San Diego, Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties. He served as a Vegetable Crops and Weed Science Advisor in San Joaquin County working with growers, PCA's, processors, fresh market sheds, seedsmen, chemical company representatives and other allied industry personnel supporting the local $267 million vegetable industry on 87,000+ acres. He conducted some 1,000 research trials and wrote 200 scientific reports and papers.

Bob retired in 2004 and received several Achievement and Distinguished Service awards over his career. Bob was a Board Member and Professional Improvement Chairman of CA Association of Farm Advisors. His activities included working with the California Asparagus Growers Association, the California Tomato Growers Association, the American Society for Horticulture Science, the California Association of Farm Advisors and the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. His other affiliations include the Lodi Rotary Club, Micke Grove Zoological Society, and the San Joaquin County Agricultural History Museum.

Notably, Bob was inducted into the Stockton Agricultural Hall of Fame in October of 2004.

Outside of work Bob enjoyed camping, photography, golf, attending Cal football and basketball games, travels, reading, smooth jazz and going on fishing and hiking adventures with "The Six Pack" (Mick Canevari, Joe Schenone, Floyd and Don Colbert, Jack Orr and Harry Agamalian).

In 2011 Bob moved with his spouse to Anacortes, Washington to enjoy his retirement years. His time was spent meeting new friends, exploring the area, enjoying camaraderie with 6 couples also transplanted from California, and volunteer work on a local small farm with Floyd Colbert and Lee Seda. Both of his children and granddaughter eventually relocated to Washington State. Bob and family enjoyed many holidays and several travel vacations together as well as fishing adventures around the state.

Bob's life was well lived... he absolutely loved his work (really didn't want to quit), loved the wonderful friendships he formed and of note really enjoyed keeping stats on football (college preferred) and basketball along the way. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

Interment with Military Honors, will be held in private at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, CA. A Memorial Mass of celebration of Bob's life and reception is being planned to be held at St. Luke Catholic Church in Stockton, CA on June 11th at 11am with reception to follow.

Feel free to share your messages of Bob at his online guest register at Evans and bookmark this link www.evanschapel.com/obituary/bob-mullen to check on updates.