Ret. Judge Robert B. McMullen, Jr.

Retired Common Pleas Judge Robert B. McMullen, Jr., of Hillsboro died Thursday April 10, 2014.

He was born March 17, 1928 in Hillsboro, the son of the late Robert B. McMullen, Sr., and Leila Huggins McMullen.

He attended Hillsboro High School, played football four years, was a football team captain and was elected student body president. His work experience included a paper route, work in the hybrid cornfields and clerking in Hilliard’s, a men’s clothing store. Upon graduation from high school, he immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on the Johnston and the Wilson (destroyers) as a radar operator. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended the Ohio State University, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

On Sept. 1, 1951, he married Kay Colleen Kenily. Robert received his Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from Otterbein College. While in college, his work experience included working in a creamery, selling Adam Hats and working in a munitions plant. Following undergraduate school, he sold insurance in San Diego, California for a year. Upon returning to Ohio, he worked for Stockwell’s Furniture Store until he entered law school at Ohio Northern University. While in law school, he was elected president of the student bar association. He also worked on a surveying crew. In 1957, Robert received his Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University, and he returned to Hillsboro to practice law with his father. He remained in private law practice for over 30 years.

Robert was elected to the judicial bench several times. He served as Municipal Court Judge for six years and as Common Pleas Court Judge for 13 and one-half years. Robert was one of 50 U.S Judges selected to attend a course on law at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He and his wife traveled to Ireland another time and to England, Scotland and Wales.

In addition to helping raise his three children, Colleen, Molly and Bob, he was active in the community. Judge McMullen was a past president of the Hillsboro Rotary Club, a member of all bodies of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the American Legion and a member of the board of trustees for Chatfield College (1984–1989). He served as a deacon and an elder in Hillsboro’s First Presbyterian Church, and he sang in the church choir for over 30 years. He was also a member of the barbershop chorus and a barbershop quartet. Robert was a member of the Emmaus Community and belonged to a sharing group. Judge McMullen was a member of the Highland County Bar Association (past president), Ohio Bar Association, American Bar Association and the American Judicature Association.

Judge McMullen is survived by his loving wife of 62 ½ years, Kay Kenily McMullen; three children, Colleen (Ronald) Heath of Columbus, Molly (James) McCurdy of Columbus and Robert B. (Phyllis) McMullen III, of Columbus; and six grandchildren, Scott McCurdy, Robert B. McMullen IV, Meghan (Zachary) Brown, Laura Bailey, Rachel Bailey and Jonathan Heath.

In addition to his parents, Robert B. McMullen, Sr. and Leila Huggins McMullen, Robert was preceded in death by his sister, Mary McMullen Morgan, and brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Morgan.

The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, April 14 at the First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro. The Rev. Maurice Mitchell will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Hillsboro Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-6p.m. Sunday, April 13 at the Turner & Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Masonic services will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. following visitation.  

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, P.O. Box 759, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. 

For more information or to leave the family a condolence, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.