Bob Julien was born on November 12, 1924 and raised in Turlock. He attended the first Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937, which was held in Washington, D.C. He arrived after traveling across the country by train, unchaperoned at only 12 years old. He served as the Student Body President at Turlock High School in 1941 - 1942, where he graduated in 1942. He entered Stanford University in 1942 and at the end of his freshman year enlisted in Officer’s Candidate School. His enlistment in the Navy took him to UCLA and Notre Dame, where he graduated with the rank of Ensign. He was assigned to the fleet oiler, U.S.S. Chemung AO 30, and served in the European-African Campaign and the American Theatre before transferring to the Asiatic Pacific Theatre as the war winded down in Europe. He served as a Deck Officer, Communications Officer, and Division Officer and earned the Victory Medal WWII. After the war, he returned to Stanford University where he graduated with his B.S. degree and a Master’s Degree in Bacteriology, but more importantly, he met a freshman student on the steps of the library, Jean Blaine, who he married in 1948. Bob graduated from Stanford Medical School in 1954. He re-enlisted in the Navy as a Lieutenant Junior Grade and served during the Korean Conflict at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA.
After his internship at Oak Knoll, he returned to Turlock to complete his residency at the Stanislaus County Hospital in Modesto. Following his residency, he started his medical career as a General Practitioner and Surgeon with long-time friend, Everett Johnson on Thor Street in Turlock. He moved his practice to Delbon Avenue to be across the street from Emanuel Hospital, which was started, in part, by his father and uncle in 1917. He continued to practice in Turlock until 1985 when, due to malpractice insurance spikes for physicians over 60 years old, he moved to Long Beach and then to Lompoc, CA. Bob returned to Turlock in 1991, finally retiring at the age of 75.
Bob was the son of Eric Julien M.D. and Mabel Bothun Julien. The love of his life, Jean, passed away in 2008 after almost 60 years of marriage. Their eldest daughter, Catherine Julien, Ph.D., preceded him in death in 2011. He is survived by his children, Eric (Becky) Julien, Ellen (Al) Bracamonte, Sarah (Shawn) Anderson, and Matthew (Becca) Julien. He leaves nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Evelyn (Les) Edens.
Robert K. Julien, M.D. was known for his ability to diagnose an illness the first time and use logic to develop a treatment plan to achieve a cure. Bob ran his life based on his Christian faith and actively enjoyed the fellowship at Turlock Covenant Church. He, like his father, believed he should give back to his community and did so through the Exchange Club of Turlock. He loved to hunt, especially ducks and geese. He was a fan of swing music and owned an extensive collection of Big Band music as well as soundtracks of numerous Broadway musicals. He could twist a phrase in a humorous way and tell a great story, especially about his time at Stanford and the pranks his fraternity, Kappa Alpha, pulled. His experiences during his time on the Chemung, especially the fourteen hours he spent on the bridge directing the helmsman to steer through 50- to 100-foot swells during a typhoon, were extremely important to him. He made it a point to invite his shipmates to stay with him when they were in California and attended the first USS Chemung reunion in Bermuda in 1969. He attended the reunions continuously until recently. He was an active member of the American Legion Rex Ish Post 88. He was a great cook, and, because he grew up during the depression, loved fruits and vegetables; he grew a couple varieties of just about any fruit tree and vegetable. He owned the vacant lot beside his office on Delbon and grew so much squash in the lot, he didn’t even mind if some of it disappeared when people walked by. After replacing the squash with zinnias, people would wade out in the middle of the field and take pictures with their families. He will be remembered by his friends for his bowtie and Stanford socks, as well as his walks with Jean and his dog Zip around the Emanuel Hospital block.
A Service of Commitment was held for his family at the San Joaquin National Cemetery on February 8. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Turlock Covenant Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 24, 316 S. Laurel St., Turlock. Stanford or red socks and a bowtie are optional.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Westside Ministries, 952 Columbia Ave., Turlock, or to Emanuel Cancer Hospital (c/o the Bill and Elise Ahlem Cancer Endowment)
