The Life of ROBERT L MULLIGAN

Robert (Doc) L. Mulligan Robert (Doc) L. Mulligan, born October 5, 1926, in Ashland, PA, died Friday, January 8, 2021, with his family by his side following a short illness. He was 94. Bob said from the day he was born he was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps, whom he greatly admired. After graduating from Ashland High School, he headed to Pennsylvania State University where he was a trombone player in the Blue Band and graduated in three years. A week after graduation he left for Philadelphia to attend Jefferson Medical School. It was there that he met his “Pug-Nosed Dream” Rose. He married her and cherished her for 58 years until her death in 2005. He graduated from Jefferson in 1951 and became a resident at the Reading Hospital and was an associate radiologist there until 1981 when he transferred to Ephrata Hospital. He was most proud of his development of the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Reading Hospital. He cared deeply about his patients and believed there was a no replacement for talking with them face to face for diagnoses and healing. He adored the technologists who worked with him, and they adored him. He was sincerely grateful for his ability to have a career that he loved that allowed him to pursue what was in his heart, music. From the piano in Ashland to his piano at 600 Brobst St. and finally at the Highlands, you could find him playing and or arranging. If he was not there, he was undoubtedly at the dining room table with his ink and pen in hand writing his arrangements. During those years, he mastered the trombone, playing in high school, college and beyond until macular degeneration made it too difficult to play. His “gigs” include the Hafer/Jacobson Big Band, The Wyomissing Big Band, The Bobby Mercer Big Band, Trombones Incorporated, Bones of Contention, and freelance work for Helen O’Connell, Billy Epstein, Jack Jones, Sammy Kaye, Maynard Ferguson, Al Martino, Ronnie Milsap, and others. His long time friendship and musical collaborations with Dave Stahl were especially meaningful to him. He was an avid supporter and participant in the Berks Jazz Fest, including music education which precipitated the Doc Mulligan Get Jazzed Day. He was the inaugural recipient of the Frank Scott Award. Bob was a very charming man with a wonderful sense of humor. He was the epitome of a “great guy.” He was predeceased by his beloved wife Rose Mary (Glaudel) Mulligan, his daughter Patricia, and his sisters, Marcia Bertelson and Joyce Bushpics. He is survived by his daughters, Marta A. Mulligan, and Michele Mulligan Pollock. He also leaves behind his dear grandchildren, David R. Botch and Mary R. Botch, his son-in-law Mark W. Pollock, his nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends. A public graveside service was held on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, PA. A celebration of his life party will be held sometime in the future. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Reading Musical Foundation, 201 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601, readingmuicalfoundation.org. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is honored to assist Dr. Mulligan’s family.