Robert “Bob” McMillen, a widely appreciated maritime company official and philanthropist, passed away Oct. 12 after battling both kidney and heart disease. McMillen, 67, died at his home in Bellevue, Wash.“He was an exceptional guy and a genuine man of his word,” said SIU President Michael Sacco. “Bob was honest and kind—a real partner and friend. He was very charitable in the community and a very valuable ally in the effort to strengthen the U.S. fleet.”
McMillen served as co-chairman and chief executive officer of Saltchuk Resources, Inc. (the parent company of TOTE). In June 2001, the new simulator building at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. was named in his honor.
“He was extremely proud of having that annex named after him,” noted Michael Garvey, co-chairman/CEO of Saltchuk. “What made him particularly proud is, he’s only the second businessman that the school has named a building after. He set the standard for labor relations in our company and he took a lot of pride in good relationships.”
Garvey described McMillen as someone who treated everyone respectfully—from the doorman to the fellow CEO. “That was part of his character that I really liked,” Garvey said. “Also, he always was a really charitable guy. He didn’t talk about a lot of those types of activities, but I know for a fact he was quick to help—financially and with his time.”
Saltchuk President Mark Tabbutt called McMillen “an amazing person. At TOTE, he was so popular with the customers and all the employees —every employee. The labor leaders and the competitors respected him. In a job like he has, to win over all those audiences is pretty remarkable.”
Tabbutt added that McMillen “was probably the best listener I’ve ever met. When he talked to you, he was so focused on what you were saying. But it went beyond just the words—he read people so well.”
At the simulator dedication, Robert Magee, president and CEO of TOTE, said McMillen’s lasting legacy to the transportation industry will be the reinvestment that he has helped promote. He also said McMillen “always demonstrated respect for the men and women who work in our company and respect for the people who represent them in labor. He always attempted to understand their point of view because he recognized that we are all in this together.”
McMillen previously served as president and CEO of TOTE, from 1977 to 1993. A native of suburban Pittsburgh, he graduated from Denison University of Granville, Ohio and served in the U.S. Air Force.
His list of civic activities is overwhelming. He was a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of the Alaska Committee; a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Washington Foundation, chairman of the Tyee Board of the University of Washington (which advises the athletic department) and a vice-chairman and a member of the Board of the Swedish Medical Center Foundation; a member and director of the Washington Roundtable; member of the Seattle Rotary Club; member of the Board of Directors of the Sports and Events Council of Seattle/King County; member of the Board of Directors of Northwest Racing Associates of Auburn, Wash.; member of the Board of Directors for Key Bank of Washington; member of the Board of Trustees of the Washington State Chapter of Leukemia Society of America; member and director of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce; member of the Board of Trustees of the Transportation Institute in Washington, D.C.; member of the Propeller Club of the United States; and a member on the Board of Trustees of Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska, and Life Center Northwest. He also was a member and past chairman of the Board and past president of the Management Council of the American Trucking Association.
Services were scheduled for Oct. 24 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue. Remembrances may be made to the Northwest Kidney Center Foundation, P.O. Box 3035, Seattle, WA 98114, or Harborview Medical Center, McMillen Memorial Fund, N.W. Lipid Research Clinic, Box 359950, Seattle, WA 98104.
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