Obituary of Colonel Louis Van Mullem

Lou Van Mullem, age 99, of Goleta peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Serenity House. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 24, 1916 to a Belgium father, Joseph Van Mullem, and an English mother Annie Parker. Sadly he lost his mother at age 8, which had a profound effect on the rest of his life but gave him an exceptional relationship with his father. At the age of four, he met the love of his life, Joan Moser. Married for 67 years theirs' was a romance that you see in movies, but seldom in real life. Lou and Joan were very active, full of energy, and loved to entertain; well into their 90s they swam and played golf. In his later years, he passionately welcomed family into his home at any time. The more kids the merrier as he thrived on chaos. This was easy to achieve as he had 5 children, 8 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He loved them all. For 32 years, Lou served his country with honor, integrity and pride. A 1940 graduate of Army Air Corps pilot training, he was an extraordinary aviator. A veteran of WWII, the Chinese Civil War, Korea, and Vietnam, Lou was a walking history of the Air Force. Sixty-five years ago, while flying from Seattle to San Diego, he spotted the small quaint town of Santa Barbara. Circling the town, he made note to come back some day. Retiring from the Air Force in 1969 at the age of 53, Lou and Joan settled into their new Goleta home. Lou set about getting to know his neighbors and making new friends. The local "watering hole" established, box wine was served nightly at 5 sharp. He actively pursued many hobbies such as Sunbeam Alpine sports car repairs, furniture wood-working, and home improvements - he was a neighborhood renowned do-it-yourselfer, who never hesitated to take on challenging projects. What made Dad unique was a comprehensive memory and the gift of telling amazing stories about his many spectacular adventures. Dad's off-the-wall good sense of humor, an enormous love of family and endearing friendships completed the unique individual he was. Of all the positions held during his lifetime, he cherished most his role as patriarch of the Van Mullem clan. Now that he has gone to that "Great Hanger in the Sky," he leaves a void in the lives of all who knew and loved him. Today, his neighbors are honoring the Colonel with flags flying from their homes. He was a grand old gentleman. Lou always signed-off with, "Over and out." As a family, we would like to thank Dr. Allen Rosenblum who meticulously and compassionately managed Dad's care these past 16 years. Due to the comfort, dignity, and kindness given to Dad by Serenity House, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send donations in Lou Van Mullem's name to Serenity House, 930 Miramonte Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Services for Col. Lou Van Mullem will be held Thursday, May 7th, 2:00 PM at the Santa Barbara Cemetery Chapel.