John Richard Mullins
July 1, 1919 - September 5, 2009
Obituary
John Richard Mullins passed away peacefully on September 5, 2009. Born July 1, 1919 in Selah Washington he was the son of John R. Mullins and Olga J. Downs Mullins. He grew up on the family ranch in Yakima and graduated from Marquette High School and went on to attend Gonzaga University in Spokane. He graduated from the St. Louis University Medical School in 1945 with M.D. Degree. There he met and married his beloved wife of over 63 years, Virginia Lee. He completed his Internship in St. Louis and then became a Medical Officer in the United States Army from 1946-48. He was a Resident in Neurology in Chicago, Illinois and then joined the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps in 1951-53 as an Aviation Medical Examiner, Flight Surgeon and Neurologist. In 1953 he moved to Seattle where he was a Resident in Internal Medicine at the Providence Hospital and started his medical practice in Neurology and Internal Medicine. He was a member of the American Medical Association, King County Medical Society, American College of Physicians and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. He was affiliated with the staff at Providence Medical Center, Swedish Hospital Medical Center, St. Francis Cabrini Hospital and the Children’s Hospital Center. In addition he was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine in Neurology at the University of Washington, School of Medicine in Seattle.
He was actively involved in his Church and contributed to and visited an orphanage in Africa sponsored by St. Bridget. He traveled extensively with his Virginia to 192 countries and had a passion for sailing on his 33 foot sloop. He received training in Celestial Navigation from Captain Kildall School of Navigation. In 1973 he navigated his sailboat Fandango from the Panama Canal to Acapulco, Mexico. He also enjoyed racing sailboats with family on Puget Sound and competed in the Swiftsure race in Victoria Canada.
Richard Mullins enjoyed hunting in the Okanogan and was President of the Daisy Creek hunting club. The hunting camp consisted of a ‘sheep herder’ style tent and wood-burning stove that he special ordered from Montana. The hunters traditionally slept in a ‘hip hole’ covered with straw for maximum comfort. He also enjoyed hunting in Canada with his hunting partners and always bagged a moose. His favorite painter was Charles Russell, a famous outdoors artist who lived in Great Falls, Montana. He was also well read with the likes of Poets Robert Service and Robert Frost not to mention his love for the performing arts, opera, plays and the Seattle Art Museum that he supported.
Richard Mullins will be remembered for his generosity and support for his family and friends. He was always a person to look up to for advice and never ceased educating himself and others. To all who knew him, he was a true American Hero. He leaves behind Virginia his beloved spouse, son Kevin, his wife Sorelys and grandsons Alinsson, Johnny, Shane and Richard, also his daughter Sheila and grandchildren Sam, Jennifer and Brandon. Kathleen Ellen Mullins his daughter preceeded him in death in 1980.
To the Mullins Family, May each of you find comfort in knowing that God is “near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” Psalm 34;18 He has promised to soon “swallow up death forever…and wipe the tears from all faces.” Isaiah 25;8 Take care,