Robert Mitchell Obituary

Mitchell
REV. DR. ROBERT MITCHELL
July 17, 1929
May 19, 2021
Robert Mitchell, better known as "Mitch", went home to be with our Lord on May 19, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Frances Mitchell; his older brother, Orville Jr. (Mary); and his son, Tucker Mitchell. He is survived by his wife Claudia of 66 years (3 days short of their 67th anniversary), his daughter Tamara, and son, Tim (Camilla), grandchildren Becca (Jeremy), Walt (Liz), Brooks (Dylan), and Megan (Jake).
Mitch was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. As a young teenager, he met Jim Rayburn, the founder of Young Life, which is devoted to Christian outreach to adolescents throughout the world. Mitch was in Jim's first Young Life club in the early 1940's. After graduating from Wheaton College at age 19, Bob joined the Young Life movement. Bob met and married Claudia and together they spent the next 40 years serving, developing, and leading Young Life. In 1956, Bob started Young Life in the California Bay Area before they returned to Colorado Springs in 1966. They joined the First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, and Mitch launched an adult Sunday morning class called "Pathfinders" which he eventually taught for some 25 years. When his own kids started high school, Mitch began a Young Life club in Monument, CO where almost a third of the school attended each week. In 1978, Mitch became the third president of Young Life, where he served in that capacity for nine years before assuming the role as president of the Young Life Foundation. Under Mitch's presidency, the mission flourished and matured as he brought energetic leadership to theological training of staff, urban expansion, women in leadership, racial equality, camps and conferences, and church relations. He encouraged and initiated the beginnings of the ever-expanding international ministry in places like Brazil, Ireland, and the Philippines. In many ways, Bob's leadership was ahead of its time. He faithfully served Young Life until 1990, when he felt called to World Vision, as Vice President for U.S. Programs.
In World Vision, Bob was instrumental in helping build partnerships with agencies and church-based organizations to provide affordable housing, jobs for the poor, ethnic leadership development, refugee mentoring programs, programs for children and youth at risk, and emergency disaster relief. His love and heart to reach those whom others neglected was always paramount.
After five years, Bob and Claudia returned to their home in Monument and started their own unique ministry, "Eagles' Wings", a Christian retreat-based initiative designed to nurture personal spiritual renewal, contemplative prayer, Lectio Divina, and the disciplines of the inner life. At age 66, Bob was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church as an "extraordinary candidate" (there's an understatement). He took a call as Interim Pastor at Whitworth Church in Spokane, WA for about two years. They left Spokane to move to Pagosa Springs, CO to become the Spiritual Directors for an ecumenical retreat center. After their time there, Bob accepted a position as interim pastor to Mt. Olympus Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City, and then Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pueblo, CO. They returned to Monument in 2008 where they continued Eagles' Wings full time. Bob and Claudia "retired" in 2012; however, Bob continued to travel here and abroad, speaking, and serving as an honorable ambassador for Young Life, but primarily for Jesus Christ.
Bob was regularly honored by institutions and organizations, although he never sought out such recognition. He received honorary doctorates from Eastern University, Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and Whitworth University. He was recipient of the prized University of Colorado Distinguished Service Award "for his positive moral and spiritual leadership and for his work as a distinguished leader in the state, nation, and the world." The Eagle Scouts of America gave him the "Distinguished Eagle Scout" award. He received accolades and awards from a variety of other organizations and groups for his leadership and character.
Bob had an extraordinary gift of speaking and teaching about Jesus, the scriptures, and the Christian faith. Although he would never call himself a theologian, he held profound theological knowledge and personally influenced the development of incarnational theology and witness. He was well known around the country and highly sought after as a speaker/teacher. Most people will remember Bob's uncanny sense of humor, engaging smile, unassuming manner, and humble heart. He had a way of being completely "present" with whomever he was speaking. He would remind people to take the gospel seriously, yet never take oneself seriously. His posture was one of incredible grace, open hospitality, and immense gratitude. Even in the final days in a memory care facility, the staff remarked on how incredibly positive and kind he was.
Bob loved the outdoors and particularly Colorado. He relished camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, and golfing. Simply put, he loved adventure and lived life to the fullest, making sure there was plenty of fun along the way.
At 82 years old, Bob authored the book, "Letters to A Young Life Leader." In it, he shares his heart, not only about Young Life, but about how one encounters a living God who loves us all. He was faithful to live out Jim Rayburn's admonition to "never quit talking about Jesus." Bob was a visible, authentic, albeit imperfect, faithful disciple of God. He was deeply loved by all and especially by his wife, children, and grandchildren whom he treasured most of all. Mitch's life will have a lasting impact on people he never met; but because of his faithfulness to God, countless individuals will know the name of Jesus. Thanks be to God.
A service of celebration is tentatively planned for some time in August 2021, in Colorado Springs.