Promoted to Glory: Lt. Colonel David Mulbarger
Lt. Colonel David Mulbarger was Promoted to Glory on February 24, 2024, at the age of 95.
David E. Mulbarger was born on October 19, 1928, in Cleveland, OH, to parents Fredrick and Ethel Mulbarger. He was a fourth-generation Salvationist and had a varied Salvation Army background.
He was commissioned as an officer in 1947 as a member of the Warrior session of cadets. It was during his time at the Training College that he met, and later married, Cadet Helen Lewis of Savannah, GA.
Together they served in the Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi Division, Georgia Division, Maryland and Northern West Virginia Division, and the National Capital and Virginias Division.
His long career serving within the Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARC) Command began in 1965, when he was sent to the ARC in Tulsa, OK. Other ARC appointments followed in Tampa and Miami, FL.
“Colonel Dave,” as he was affectionately known by many, was appointed to the ARC Command in Atlanta in 1978 as assistant men’s social service secretary and in 1979 as men’s social service secretary. As such, he was responsible for overseeing the administration of 26 ARCs in the 15 Southern Territorial states.
He returned to a field command in Fort Lauderdale, FL, before honored retirement arrived in 1993. The Mulbargers then made their retirement home in Kissimmee, FL.
Colonel Mulbarger’s accolades include the Brengle Institute in Chicago, the Yale Summer School on Alcoholic Studies, and in 1978, he was chosen as a delegate to the International College for Officers in London.
In addition, the colonel coordinated mission trips to Zimbabwe and Guatemala and was involved in the relief efforts following the Honduras Earthquake in 1975 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Outside of his passion for people and Salvation Army mission and ministry, the colonel loved time spent on his boat, which he named Business. When anyone called the office to speak to him, they were often told that he was “out on Business.” He loved working with his hands, especially carpentry and mechanics, and rebuilt several cars in his lifetime—a passion he shared with his son, David.
He also had a love of dogs, especially basset hounds, which the family continues to share and pass down.
Lt. Colonel David Mulbarger is preceded in death by his wife, Lt. Colonel Helen Mulbarger, and one daughter, Lynn.
He is survived by one daughter, Regis, and one son, David, and daughter-in-law, Julie. He also leaves three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Westview Cemetery Abbey, in Atlanta on Friday, March 8, 2024.