Robert C. Mitchell

Known to his friends as Bob, he was born in Needham, Massachusetts to James Alfred and Alice Maud (Nielsen) Mitchell. Bob was an Eagle Scout and after graduating from Needham High School enlisted in the Navy. While stationed in Washington D.C., he met Ruth Ann to whom he was married for 52 years.

Following his discharge from the Navy, he graduated from Bentley College in Boston with a degree in accounting. He went on to a career in tax accounting for Sears Robuck and Company, that took him to Philadelphia and then Chicago. He was always amazed that mail addressed only to “Robert Mitchell, Sears Tower” would find its way to his office on the forty second floor. At the peak of his career, he was appointed by the President of the United States to the Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation. Bob retired in 1993 as the National Payroll Tax Manager for Sears and settled in Fairfield Harbor in New Bern. In retirement, he and Ruth enjoyed many years of golf, boating and being active in the Fairfield Community. He previously served as Commodore of the Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club.

He is survived by his sons, David (Tracey) of Naperville IL, Douglas (Jane) Mitchell of Napa CA, and by his grandsons, Jacob (Olivia) of Petersburg IL and Eric Mitchell of Naperville IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann (Norris) Mitchell.

He will be laid to rest at Greenleaf Memorial Park in New Bern in a private family ceremony.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, and his memory will live on in the lives of those he touched.

As a final memory, growing up on Cape Cod, he and his father built a sailboat named “Skippy.” He was proud that he never lost a race in it.

Fair winds and following seas.

Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Robert C. Mitchell.