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Joseph Mullen Obituary
Following his primary education in Butte, Dr. Mullen was graduated from Carroll College in Helena, MT in 1949. After earning an MS from Boston College in 1951, he received an MD from Boston University in 1955. Having joined the Naval Reserve in 1947, Dr. Mullen entered active duty in the Navy Medical Corps in 1956. Designated as a flight surgeon in 1957, he served with Air Task Group 181 and Carrier Air Group 7 at Oceana Naval Air Station and aboard the USS Intrepid, USS Randolph, and USS Independence.
Dr. Mullen entered the surgical residency program at Naval Hospital, St. Albans in Long Island, NY, in 1959. There he met his future wife, Barbara Babbitt, NC, USNR, and they were married in 1961. Upon completing his residency, Dr. Mullen was assigned as Chief of Surgery at Naval Hospital, Guantanamo, Cuba. In 1965, he entered the thoracic surgical fellowship at Naval Hospital, Bethesda, MD, and upon completion was named Head, Thoracic Surgical Branch and Assistant Chief of Surgery, eventually becoming Chief of Surgery and Surgical Residency Program Director at Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, VA.
A Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Mullen was appointed an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Virginia, and a Professor of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) while still in active naval duty. Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1976 at the rank of Captain, Dr. Mullen was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Upon retirement from the Navy, he joined the full-time faculty of EVMS, serving as interim Chairman for a year and Vice Chairman for the remainder of his career. In that capacity, he served as Director of Surgical Education at DePaul Hospital, Norfolk. In 1981, Dr. Mullen was appointed as the Henry Ford Professor of Surgery, the first named professorship at EVMS.
A member of many distinguished surgical societies, he was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and served as President of the Virginia Chapter of that College as well as a Governor of the College. Dr. Mullen also served as a Director and later President of the Tidewater Emergency Medical Services, as well as serving on the State Board of Emergency Medical Services.
The author or co-author of 45 surgical publications, Dr. Mullen also made 65 scientific presentations at local, state and national medical meetings and programs. In 1988, EVMS recognized his accomplishments by presenting him with the Outstanding Contribution to Medical Education award, and he was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical fraternity. Dr. Mullen was elected to the Carroll College Alumni Hall of Fame in 1984, and in 1994 the College awarded him the Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award. Dr. Mullen retired from active medical practice in 1992.
His zeal and enthusiasm in his professional life carried over into Dr. Mullen's extensive involvement in church and civic affairs, recreation and athletic activities, and especially into his family life. Together, Dr. and Mrs. Mullen raised and educated their seven children. He will be greatly missed by many of his children's friends for whom they cared and mentored.
Dr. Mullen served several terms as a member of the Board of Directors, Catholic Family and Children's Services, Portsmouth; the school board of Norfolk Catholic High School; and the Ethics Committee, Diocese of Richmond.
An early Lector at several Navy Catholic chapels, he subsequently served as Lector at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Portsmouth and DePaul Hospital, and as Lector, Eucharistic minister and minister to the home-bound at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Norfolk, his parish of 44 years.
At the age of 45, Dr. Mullen became an avid fitness runner and racquetball player. Running in more than 100 road races, he won medals and trophies in at least 70 events. Dr. Mullen took up golf at age 60 and scored a ‘hole-in-one' at the age of 75, ultimately ‘shooting his age' in his 79th year, and continued a lifelong enjoyment of golf with family members and his many beloved "golf buddies" into his 90s. Upon retirement he and Barbara spent many wonderful years traveling and golfing with family and friends.
Recognized and honored as a loving, kind, and generous husband, father, grandfather and friend, Dr. Mullen is survived by his seven children and their spouses, as well as 14 grandchildren: Kathleen and Albertus, Bert Jr and Leith of Florida; Michael ‘Joe' Mullen of Norfolk, VA; Timothy Mullen of Virginia Beach, VA; Mary and Edward Brinson, Martha of Madison, MS; Margret and John Brinson, Jack and Curry of Thomasville, GA; Rosaleen and Charles Purcell, Robert and Harrison of Phoenix, AZ; Eileen and Michael Wallis, Lily and George of Dubai, UAE, Melissa and Michael Dayton, Nicholas, Joseph and Michael of Richmond, VA.
He is also survived by beloved sisters Margaret Mullen Presley of Spokane, WA, Sister Mary Bridget Mullen of Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth, KS; a host of cherished nieces and nephews, other relatives and a large and devoted circle of friends and colleagues. In later years, Dr. Mullen enjoyed frequent family visits and also spent many happy hours with dear friend Ms. Shirley Blackburn as well as his devoted circle of companions from golf, his medical school, career, and the Navy, especially Joe Davis, Dick Grissom, college friend Dr. Andrew Crummy and Godson Jon Babineau.
Dr. Mullen's family is grateful for the efforts of his colleagues in the medical profession, including his friend and physician Dr. Mark Skees, Sentara Heart Hospital, Sentara Hospice Services, and DePaul Hospital.
Following a private family burial service by H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, the Mullen children will welcome family and friends to a funeral mass and celebration of Dr. Mullen's life at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church when it is safe to host larger gatherings.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice or:
Catholic Extension, 150 S Wacker Dr., Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606 (800-842-7804)
www.catholicextension.org or Catholic Relief Services, 228 W Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201, (877-435-7277) www.crs.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Mullen
Sponsored by the family.
Libby Dorman Trampenau
November 28, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Dr. Joe will be missed by so many. We were lucky to have known him and had your family as neighbors in Norfolk. Many happy memories of times visiting across the fence or standing chatting by the front porch. Please accept our condolences and know I and my parents are thinking of the Mullen family and keeping you all in our prayers. Fondly, Libby
John Yanez
November 24, 2020
My prayers are with all of you in the family and wish to say thanks that I met your father. I always considered him as one of the nicest human beings that I have ever met. We became friends while the kids were going to Blessed Sacrament and then even more so playing racket ball. Will sincerely miss him.
Diane LaVerdiere Voskuhl
November 24, 2020
I was stationed at St Albans NY Hospital in 1963 as a Corps Wave. I knew Dr Mullen, in fact he was my surgeon at one time. What to my surprise I met him at Depaul Hospital many years later. We talked about our days back in '63. He was a kind and warm individual.
My condolences to the family.
Jack McNamara
November 23, 2020
I met Joe at the naval hospital Portsmouth in the early 70s when he was chief of surgery, living with Barbara and his awesome children in base officers housing. Later we worked together at Norfolk general when he was Professor at EVMS and i worked at the hospital. In all of those years, and later at the Sewells point golf course, I was enthralled by his “top of the morning “ greeting to a fellow Irishman and that Wonderful smile and sense of excitement for life. His golfing buddies at Sewells and all who were lucky enough to have him in their lives mourn his loss. Our heartfelt sympathy to his children and their families. Jack McNamara
Linda Whitt
November 23, 2020
Dr Mullen was such a bright star in so many folks' lives. I worked in the DePaul ER after he retired from the USN and began mentoring surgical residents. He treated patients and nurses with such dignity and kindness, and was just plain first class. Sharon Cannon and I were fortunate enough to visit him over lunch the last Sunday this past January, not long before the lockdown began. We are so grateful we had that lovely visit with this lovely guy. So thankful to Mary and Kathleen for making it happen, and so glad you found such a perfect place for him with Kathleen making sure he was safe. Sending our deepest sympathy to all 7 wonderful Mullen kids and wishing you peace and comfort. Linda Whitt RN
Jean Tepas
November 20, 2020
Dr. Mullen was an important influence in my husband, Joe’s life. His wife and family “adopted” us in our early days of residency where we lived down the street as neighbors in navy housing. His dedication to his faith, his love of family, his excellence in surgical skill and mentoring are recognized by all who knew him. His sharp wit and sense of impudent fun endeared him to many. To the men who were lucky enough to train in his program and to their wives whom his beloved Barbara nurtured as she did her own children he will always be The Boss”. Rest In Peace, dear man, with your beloved as the reward of a life well lived.
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