Eugene Worth Mulligan III

Eugene Worth Mulligan III, 98, of Falls Church, Virginia, died on June 10, 2024 after a long and fulfilling life devoted to family, community, and service. 

Gene’s beloved wife of nearly seven decades, Dorothy Cochran Mulligan, predeceased him by 23 months. They are survived by their adult children Greg Mulligan (Jeanne) of Baltimore, Maryland; Laura Mulligan Thomas (Paul) of Charlottesville, Virginia; Mark Mulligan (Arend Sluis) of Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Cathy Mulligan Young (Sunder) of Kea’au, Hawaii; grandchildren Eric Mulligan, Stephen Mulligan, Emily Thomas Waters (Cetch), Leo Mulligan Thomas, Alden Young, and Elizabeth Young; two great-grandchildren, Roman and Indie Waters; brother Robert Mulligan; sister-in-law Eileen Mulligan; a host of nieces and nephews, and many devoted friends. Gene was predeceased by his sisters Mary Lou MacFarland (Tom), Joan Weber (Bob), and brother William Mulligan.

The first of five children born to Eugene Worth Mulligan II and Marion Goeckel Mulligan in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, Gene showed early intellectual promise by voraciously consuming books and excelling in his academic and musical studies. He graduated as valedictorian of his 1944 Kingston, PA High School class and third in his class of 500 from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1947. After distinguished service in the Mediterranean Sea and Korea as Lieutenant Commander, then as Naval Intelligence Specialist at the Pentagon, Gene embarked on a second career in finance with American Security Bank in 1963. Hired initially as portfolio manager, Gene quickly rose through the ranks. During his nearly four decades of employment with ASB, he earned a masters’ degree in economics from American University, became a Chartered Financial Analyst, and successfully managed billions of assets for Washington-area organizations and various pension funds. He retired from ASB Capital Management as Executive Vice-President and Director of Fixed Income Management in 1995, then continued as a trusted ASB consultant for a decade beyond. The Washington Post described him in 1989 as one of the top 1% of bond managers in the country.

Gene met his future wife, Dorothy Cochran, during his first years in Washington. After marrying in 1952, they lived in Annapolis and Norfolk before purchasing their home of 60 years in Alexandria. They shared progressive political and spiritual ideals that created a deep, unshakable bond between them. Gene and Dorothy immersed their four children in books, newspapers, music, laughter, travel, museums, and outdoor adventures while modeling their high expectations for academic achievement, personal responsibility, and service to others. All four Mulligan children took up string instruments, and the Mulligan String Quartet was a tremendous source of pride and joy for Gene and Dorothy for many decades. Gene enjoyed playing piano daily, and after a 60-year hiatus from private lessons, he dedicated himself to improving his technique and expanding his repertoire starting in his early 80s. He performed full-length piano recitals on his 90th and 95th birthdays. He loved to dance and took advantage of weddings and other family celebrations to shed his general sense of social reserve and formality. The annual Mulligan family reunion and tennis tournament in Glen Summit, Pennsylvania was the highlight of the year for Gene.

A distinguished and proper gentleman, Gene always spoke and dressed well and had impeccable manners. He was widely respected for his intellect, knowledge, idealism, generosity, and sustained commitment to multiple causes including the Democratic Party, the Population Institute, Wealth for the Common Good, ALIVE!, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Charlottesville High School Orchestra, and the Orchid Isle Orchestra. As a devoted member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Gene volunteered for decades serving as treasurer, as chair of multiple committees, and was a generous philanthropist.

The family thanks the excellent staff of Goodwin House Baileys Crossroads for their devoted care during Gene’s final years.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 3 at 11 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. Donations in Gene’s memory may be sent to the UUCA at 4444 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22204, or to any of the aforementioned causes dear to Gene’s heart.

“May we have eyes that see, hearts that love, and hands that are ready to serve.”--Mulligan family grace, spoken daily

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