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Robert E. McMullin

In the early hours of Aug. 15, 2018, Bob (Robert E.) McMullin peacefully laid down his earthly burdens and joys to go with his Guardian Angel. Bob was born in Milwaukee, Wis. on Sept. 21, 1946, to Gene and Theresa (Corrao) McMullin.

Bob’s early years were spent in Scott County, Missouri, as part of the large McMullin family. In 1955 his parents moved back to Milwaukee where Bob learned about his mom’s large Sicilian family. He was very proud of his family’s cultural heritage and history. He attended Custer High School in Milwaukee, played trumpet and traveled the West with the Milwaukee Continental Youth Band in his youth. In recent years, he shared that talent to play ‘Taps’ at veterans’ funerals.

At age 18 he enlisted in the Army. His year-long tour of duty from 1965-66, in Vietnam, with the 25th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands, lasted a lifetime due to effects of Agent Orange and PTSD. He earned his living with his hands after the Army; first as a bricklayer and mason in Milwaukee and Jerome, Ariz., then as a dealer in Laughlin, Nev. Later, in Wallace, Idaho, he opened the Silver Bear Jewelry Store where he was able to follow his true creative passion full time.

Bob was a skilled and creative artist, working with precious metals, gems, watercolors and leather. In Wallace and Jerome, he enjoyed the solitude and challenge of mining. After building his home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, gardening occupied many hours.

A simple balsa wood airplane given to him as a young child started a love affair for model airplanes; later in life he built and flew remote-controlled aircraft, both as a member of the Coeur d’Alene Aero Modeling Society and independently. A 2014 article in the CDA Press read, “As a Vietnam veteran living with post-traumatic stress disorder, he found the hobby helped him in many ways.” The article quoted him: “When you’re flying an airplane …” he said. “You’re concentrating on that, so all the problems that you have in the world are away from you when you’re flying.”

Bob is survived by his children, Pat Thompson of Spokane, Wash.; Annmarie McMullin of California; stepson, Jon Hill of Texas; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Rose Marie (Bob) Brock of Butte, Mont.; nephews; uncles, AB McMullin of Arizona and Andy (Jean) Corrao of Milwaukee; along with numerous cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Amos and Maggie McMullin and Sam and Rose Corrao; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Military services and burial will be at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, at the Medical Lake VA Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola Road, Medical Lake, Wash. Please gather near the Administration Building by 11 a.m. to proceed to the service location.

The family requests donations to the Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller House in Coeur d’Alene, or a local Veterans’ organization. To view Bob’s online memorial and sign the online guest book, please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com

Special gratitude to Johnpatrick Gagner, Bob’s grandson, for his kind and loving care given during his recent illness; Bob’s friends who became like family over the years; and the staff at the Schneidmiller House for their compassionate care. We know you fly with the Angels now, Bobby.