Funeral Service
St. Catherine of Siena Church-
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302 St. Catherine Circle
Ithaca, NY 14850
March
23,
1931
23,
1931
January
18,
2019
18,
2019
Robert Richard Julian died on January 18, 2019 in Ithaca, NY due to pneumonia. He was 87.
Bob was born on March 23, 1931 in Endicott, NY to Joseph and Josephine Julian. After graduating from Union-Endicott High School, Bob went on to study communications and broadcasting at Emerson College where he graduated in June of 1953. He then joined the Army where he served from 1953-55 (honorable discharge) including a post in Germany during the Korean War. He married Nan Hollenbeck in 1957.
Bob started his professional career in the radio business in the Triple Cities area. Then in 1968 the Julians moved to Ithaca so that Bob could become the Media Director at Cornell’s School of Industrial & Labor Relations. He spent the rest of his career at the ILR School serving in various capacities including a stint as the secretary of the Faculty. During that time he also earned a Masters Degree in Communication (1990) from Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
With Nan, Bob raised four active boys. Outside of work Bob dedicated his time to running, gardening, and volunteering at his church, St. Catherine of Siena, where he played many roles including serving on the finance committee. He volunteered at the Tompkins County Aids Foundation in various capacities starting in 2002. Bob was also the voice of Big Red Hockey as the announcer in Lynah Rink. Over the years, tens of thousands heard him tap into his radio voice background starting every game with a deep, energetic, “Good evening hockey fans!” Bob also ran a media communications consulting company, wrote a book on retirement planning, and contributed a column to the Ithaca Journal on that topic.
Bob is survived by four sons – Robert Jr., Jonathan, James, and Edward, and two grandchildren -- Joshua and Jessica. He will continue to love, and by loved by them as well the St. Catherine of Siena community.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on January 26 at 1:00 PM at St. Catherine of Siena Parish with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bob’s life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Catherine of Siena Church.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert R. Julian, please visit our flower store.