Special Tributes

Kirkland’s Modern Day Peter Kirk

By day he is the City of Kirkland’s webmaster, by night and through cyberspace he is transformed into Peter Kirk, the city’s industrial founder.

Rob Mullin wears many hats these days as he shifts from his professional office environment to a comedic impressionist for the City of Kirkland’s Centennial Celebration.

It all started when Rob was first asked to impersonate the city’s famed founder. Though he didn’t think he looked anything like the famed Kirk, he agreed to take on the role. Donning just a mustache and a homemade collar, Rob transformed himself into the English baron Kirk, and with the schemes and foibles of the real Peter Kirk, Rob had plenty of fodder to work with for Kirkland’s Centennial celebrations and activities.

Rob has made appearances as Kirk in the city’s Moments in History video segments airing on Kirkland Cable Channel 21, to Comcast audiences through a lively Centennial advertisement, and has participated in numerous activities via both cyberspace and in person. Kirkland Mayor Mary Alice Burleigh notes, “he makes history come alive.”

His latest adventures launched Peter Kirk to the forefront of the community during the Kirkland Centennial kick-off gala on February 2nd. Rob brought Kirk to life on stage and laughter to the audience as he poked fun at city mayor Mary Alyce Burleigh and former mayor Larry Springer; at one point exclaiming that he was surprised the celebration wasn’t about him!

Rob is a former newspaper photographer from Winnipeg who combined his love of photography with in interest in art and computers through the multimedia program at Bellevue Community College.

Kirk is not the first character Rob has played. In a movie-making class, Rob was the leading role in “Rocket Man,” a spoof of a 1940s serial. Part two of the movie, by the same creators, was filmed last May and will air on the BCC television channel.

In addition to his acting roles, Rob is a bass player for the alternative rock band Roark, and lends his voice to the animated online cartoon, the Scottish Ninjas. He is also an active player for the local Irish hurling team. The sport often described as Ice Hockey meets Soccer or Rugby is played with a small leather ball and curved wooden stick and is considered to be Europe’s oldest and fastest field game.