Robert Bullen Obituary

Dear Andy,
Just heard the sad news.
I fondly recall your Dad's visits to the staff at NSLS. What a wonderfully engaging and intriguing man he was. My sincerest sympathies to you & your family. --Kay Lattanzi

I just read about your dad in the DLS News. I'm so sorry for your loss, Anne and Andrew. He was a special man, and an asset to the library community.

Dear Bullen family, I worked with Bob many years ago at Northbrook Public Library back in the '70's, when he came in as a part time reference libarian. I still fondly remember his southern charm, sense of fun and classy spirit. So glad to hear that he had loving family around him in his final days after a long and, I believe, splendid life.

Anne & Andrew - Your Dad was such a wonderful person. Having lived in Atlanta for almost 20 years, I can truly understand his southern gentleman ways. He never lost that charm even with living next door to the Vrtis hellians! He added color and richness to my life and I am very proud to have known him. God bless you and your Father. All the best, Joe and Lori Vrtis (Kennesaw, Ga.)

I was privileged to meet your father when I first arrived in the North Suburban Library System in 1982. Whenever I saw him he would inquire about my family and my library--always with southern grace and frequent hilarious anecdotes. His personal interest always encouraged me in my library work in a charming way. We need more people like him. And I will miss him. My sympathy to your family at this sad time.

I was surprised to read of Bob's death last Friday but life has a way of taking sudden turns that do not always have obvious reasons behind them.

I first met Bob when I started attending services at the local Episcopal church. Who was this couple with the genteel accents and air of Southern aristocracy about them? It was a summer Sunday in 1992 and they were sitting outside on chairs in the front yard of the rectory behind the church for a post-mass gathering. I had lived for several years in Mississippi and gone to college at Ole Miss so we had a connection since Bob and Ida had lived in Starkville, and Bob had gone to college at Millsaps and library school at Emory. I was a Peabody grad., so we could commiserate over the state of library schools since we were products of defunct MLS programs. In the years that followed Bob took an interest in my library career giving advice which I did not always welcome, but I could always steer us on to more enjoyable conversation about New Orleans or Southern politics. As transplants Bob and Ida's m.o. for dealing with Chicago winters was to not go outside if the temperature dropped below 20 degrees. I was once enlisted to bring them sandwich meat from a local delicatessen on one such day. This precipitated another enjoyable visit to them.

I have missed him since he moved away and am sad to hear of his death.

Anne & Andrew: What a man your father was, a true gentle man. His razor wit and storytelling were always a hit with me. Cherish the many memories of him you have, and remember there are many of us who are better for having known him, I know I am.

H. Neil Kelley

"they are our kind of people"

One of the first lines Bull would relate when he would describe the Vrtises. This was his line to describe his first impression of a stream of obscentities followed by several boys rushing pass him on his
front yard in chase each other.

Bull was relenting joyfill and joyous. I enjoyed working with and knowing Bull and I will always carry his love and kindness in life.

I fondly recall one of the greatest compliments ever paid me when Bull called me a reader.

Dear Anne and Andrew celebrate your fathers life as you know he would want.

Our love; Michael, Angela, Jeremy, Christopher and Ella

Dear Bullen Family,

Robert was a genuine person like no other. With interest and concern he would engage me in a conversation that could go from serious to hilarious in the same sentence. His wit and sense of humor were celebrated in my family. Growing up neighbors I remember on many occasions his stories and conversations about my father, most would start with “Oh, Tom…”, and he would have us all laughing so hard. My mom in particular would love his stories about my dad – she would laugh herself into tears. No one before or since has been able to get my father to laugh at himself like the way Robert Bullen did.

I know Robert is in heaven reading.

Anne and Family:

I was very sorry to learn of your father's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family. His legacy certainly lives on in his many accomplishments and his wonderful family.

Sincerely,

Bonnie and Tom Styles

Dear Anne, Andrew, and families,
I feel so privileged to have know your father. We all, on the St. Charles staff, enjoyed his visits so much. His ongoing engagement in the library world was inspiring and you both do him honor. I am very sorry for your loss.

Dear Anne, Andrew and family,
I was very lucky to have known your father, even if for a brief time. I first met him when I worked at the Presbyterian Home. He was a joy there for all of us. He was a true southern gentleman with impeccable manners and perfect grammar. I remember at the hospital one of my co-workers asked him if he wanted to "lay down." He politely said "It's lie down." The ironic thing about this was the fact that he was very sick at that time and he was not always clearheaded. I guess once a librarian always a librarian; even when everything else is going wrong. This incident was so charming and so like him. We will all miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I do believe Mr. Bullen is up there sitting next to God, and, of course, he is reading a book. Jill LPN

Dear Bullen Family

Your Father was a frequent customer at B&L Landscape Contractors and Garden Center in St. Charles, Il. I so vividly remember him driving your Mother down to the shop during the Christmas Season. I would take out a cup of Hot Spiced Cider and a couple cookies (Knowing I shouldn't but, she looked forward to that little visit).
and I am not sure if I would have gotten my twice a year hug !
As time passed, your Dad would come down alone and we would pick out flowers together - I think I know what he did with some of them. Sure missed Him when he left the area. A wonderful human being. May God bring peace into your hearts and laughter in remembrance. God Bless and Keep You

Renee' at B&L Landscape Contractors, Inc.

Anne, I was saddened to learn about your loss. Never met your Dad, but he certainly left his mark on IL libraries. You continue that legacy. God's peace and comfort to you and your family in the coming days. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathryn Harris

Dear Anne and Andrew: Rod and I are so very sorry for your loss. Bully was so proud of you both, and he was a genuine gentleman and character. We were priviliged to know him and it brings a smile just recalling the instructions for good & gracious behavior that he tried to impart to us (always with that twinkle in his eye). Please know you are in our thoughts. Barb & Rod

My deepest sympathy to the entire family and the Illinois library community.

Anne
We were so sorry to hear about your father. I will always remember him fondly from the time he was helping out with the mail so cheerfully at the Laurel office.
Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely, Mark & Grainne

Anne, My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. What a wonderful legacy your parents began and you and brother continue.
Sincerely, Bronwyn Eves