Robert Louis Mitchell (Bob), passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, in Rockville, Maryland, just one day shy of his 89th birthday. Bob was born on November 13, 1936, in Washington D.C., and was the beloved son of the late John (Billy) and Margaret (Peggy) Mitchell. Despite being an only child, he was part of a close extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Bob met the love of his life, Marlene Struttmann from District Heights Maryland, in Ocean City, Maryland in June 1957. They were married in January 1959 and eight short years later, their family had grown to four children. They served as a shining example to everyone who knew them of a devoted marriage and partnership.

Above all, Bob’s proudest achievement was his family. He was a loving and dedicated father to Kristy Sullivan (Andy), Linda Ellington, Rob Mitchell (Kristy), and Marty Mitchell (Jeanette). He was also a proud grandfather to six wonderful grandchildren: Tori Ellington, Colleen Sullivan (Mark) McCoy, Joey Mitchell, Sean Sullivan, Maggie Ellington, and Billy Mitchell and great-grandfather to Johnny and Mason McCoy. He served as an example to them of how to apply service, community, loyalty, love, and humor in all parts of their lives. His spirit will certainly live on in all of them!

Bob’s life story is best told by remembering the passion, dedication, and commitment that he brought to everything. Bob left an everlasting impact on every organization and person that he encountered.

After graduating from Northwestern High School in 1954, Bob attended the University of Maryland. He graduated with a Civil Engineering degree in 1959 and later received a master’s degree in civil engineering from The Catholic University of America.

Bob served the University of Maryland for many years. In addition to being a die-hard fan, he served on the Terrapin Club Board of Directors and as Terrapin Club President. He was a Founding Member of the Friends of Gary (FOG) Basketball Group. He also served the University by participating on the Chancellors Advisory Council and the University System Board of Regents.

Bob began his professional career at the DC Department of Highways and then in various roles with residential construction companies, Edmund Bennett and Associates, Croyder Irvin & Company and Ervin Atlantic. In 1975, with incredible support from his partner, Lou Best and his wife, Marlene, Bob began C-I/Mitchell & Best from the garage of his home. The company and its affiliates have gone on to build over 5,000 homes in the Washington DC area and earned a reputation of standing by its “Without Quality, There is No True Value” motto. Bob believed that Mitchell & Best was more than just a company—it was an integral part of the communities where it built homes and operated offices. As a result, he consistently emphasized that the company should have a positive impact on its employees, customers, industry partners, and everyone involved in the homebuilding process.

Bob became an active participant in local, state, and national homebuilder associations. He served as a three term President of the Maryland Building Industry Association, where he founded Home Builders Care of Maryland, the charitable arm of the association. In 1997, he was elected as a Senior Officer of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Board of Directors, and served as President of NAHB in 2000. Bob was recognized for his unparalleled service to the industry when he was inducted into the NAHB Hall of Fame in 2006.

Bob and Marlene moved their family to Manor Country Club in 1974. The entire family established lifelong friendships in the neighborhood and Bob continued his community involvement, serving as Junior Golf Chairman and later as President of the Board of Governors from 1984-1985. Bob also served on the St. Patrick’s Church Council, the Sandy Spring Bank Board of Directors, and many other committees and organizations in the local community.

All his life, Bob was an avid Washington sports fan. He even marched with the band for his beloved Washington Redskins at the opening of DC Stadium in 1961, witnessed the Redskins win Super Bowl XXII and celebrated the long-awaited return of baseball to DC in 2005.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 21, 2025, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church located at 4101 Norbeck Road Rockville, MD 20853. The Funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 AM at St. Patrick's. Interment will follow at 1 PM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery located at 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Home Builders Care Foundation (designated to the Robert L Mitchell Memorial Fund) https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E345465&id=3

OR to Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/?form=FUNSTKLFHDM