Robert & Ruth Bulk

Robert Albert Bulk, Sr.

Robert A. Bulk, Sr. (Bob) died peacefully on July 23, 2024 in Silver Spring, Maryland.  He was the husband of Ruth Alice Bulk, who passed away earlier that same day.  They were married for 68 years and would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary in October.

Bob was born January 21, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, the only child of Albert and Irene Bulk.  He grew up  in Garfield Heights, Ohio and attended Garfield Heights High School.  Immediately after high school graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  Following honorable discharge from the USMC, Bob enrolled in college to study Engineering, graduating from Case Western Reserve University in 1952 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Bob’s engineering and business career began at the Harris Seybold Company followed by companies in the paper industry.  He successfully rose to become a Vice-President of Engineering, prior to retiring from his primary career.

However, Bob was not one to “retire” and assumed a consultant role for a civil engineering firm, serving as liaison between the engineering firm and local Cleveland suburban governments for road construction projects.  His genial and outgoing personality made him a favorite with the local mayor’s offices.

Bob enjoyed being active and was the President of the Holy Name Society at St. Michael Catholic Church in Independence, Ohio for several years.  In his free time, he loved sailing his boat on Lake Erie and playing golf in various men’s leagues.

Bob will be dearly missed by his children:  Susan Kobyleski (Frank), Robert Bulk Jr. (Lynn), Thomas Bulk (Linda) and Timothy Bulk.  His nine grandchildren, Alex, Adam, Celina, Ian, Deanna, Matthew, Sierra, Sloan and Sawyer will miss his entertaining stories and personality.

Ruth Alice Bulk

Ruth Alice Bulk (Jelinek) passed peacefully on July 23, 2024 in Silver Spring, Maryland.  She was the wife of Robert A. Bulk Sr. who also passed on the same day.  They left this earth together to see their Lord.

Ruth was born on September 24, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio to Rudolph and Agnes Jelinek.  She was predeceased by two baby sisters and her only living sister, Mary Agnes Silva.  She is survived by her children:  Susan Kobyleski (Frank), Robert Bulk Jr. (Lynn), Thomas Bulk (Linda), Timothy Bulk and her nine cherished grandchildren.

Ruth graduated from Holy Name High School and briefly attended Notre Dame College.  She worked for Blue Cross and Standard Oil until her marriage to Bob and birth of their daughter.  During her children’s youth, Ruth was a homemaker but in 1984 after most of her children were grown and independent, Ruth embarked on a nearly 20-year career as a Bridal Consultant with Laura Salkin Bridal in Shaker Heights, Ohio.   During that time she also modeled and organized bridal fairs in Cleveland.  Ruth also volunteered extensively with the Christ Child Society charitable organization.

Ruth and Bob had not just one, but several wide circles of friends and loved to entertain and socialize.  They were known for hosting annual bohemian dinners, clambakes and St. Patrick’s Day parties.  Along with Bob, Ruth also enjoyed their boat, sailing and in her later years, she too became a passionate golfer.

Memorial Services

Catholic Mass of Christian burial, Friday October 4, 2024, 10:00 a.m.

St. Michael Catholic Church, 6912 Chestnut Road, Independence, Ohio  44131

Internment and Military Honor Service, Friday October 4, 2024, 12:45 p.m.

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Rd., Seville, Ohio 44273

A private family prayer service will be held at 3:00 pm July 30, 2024 at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A. in Clarksville MD. If desired, memorials may be made in Robert Bulk’s name to the Case Western Reserve University Alumni Association in Cleveland, Ohio and the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots charity.

Memorials for Ruth may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee or the Christ Child Society of Cleveland.