Raymond E. Mullen

Raymond E. Mullen

North Liberty

A lifelong teacher, practitioner, and lover of the visual arts, Ray Mullen passed away on Thursday, April 20, at the age of 94. Ray had accepted with grace the fullness of his life, and took great comfort in being so fortunate to bid his family and friends "good-bye" with its close. Born in 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Ray's life in the arts was predictably circuitous. A four-year stint in the Air Force during the Korean War was bracketed by his completion of a B.A. from the U. of California, studying in summer sessions at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, and finishing his MFA at the University of Iowa.

Simultaneously, Ray succeeded in dealing with dyslexia that had affected him deeply throughout his life. This fact galvanized in the soon-to-be teacher great insight and compassion for his future students with whom he would work at both City High in Iowa City and Kirkwood Community College. Ray became well-known for the quality of his instruction and his unfailing encouragement.

After 24 years, Ray retired from his duties at Kirkwood to pursue a career as a working artist. Immersing himself in the creation of wall-mounted ceramic murals; focusing on figurative painting and drawing; and returning to making functional pottery; his was a busy life at his home studio in North Liberty! It was in this period that Ray won many awards exhibiting work in art festivals throughout the Midwest, and the creative burst cemented Ray’s legacy with his colleagues and students.

In recent years, Ray’s activities broadened to include an enthusiastic participation in water aerobics, with instructor, Becky, and fellow classmates. He maintained a physically active and engaged lifestyle that afforded him immeasurable pleasure in his daily routines.

At last, during a recent holiday dinner, it was striking to observe how content Ray was. Basking in the sun that bathed his side yard, the words of the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi, captured the irrepressible spirit that animated his final days- words that were joyously appropriate for the aging artist in that moment,

At the end of my life,

With just one breath left,

If you come,

I'll sit up and sing!

Ray's survivors include his daughter, Sarah Reed (Peter) and their children Hayley and McKinley, Louisville, Ky.; Ray's son, Michael (Sylva) and their children Oliver, Ella and Viktoria; Prague, The Czech Republic; as well as a broad circle of loving nieces and nephews. Arrangements for a celebration of life will be shared at a point in the future.

Memorials in Ray's name may be made to the foundation at Kirkwood Community College, and the International Dyslexia Association-Iowa.