Rev. Robert Epperson Hughes

Robert Epperson Hughes, a 35-year resident of Mercer Island, died December 9, 2012, surrounded by his family. A native of Gadsden, Alabama, Bob graduated from the University of Alabama in 1949 and also held masters degrees from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and the Boston University School of Theology.He and his wife, Dorothy, were married in 1953. Bob was involved in human rights work for over 50 years. He served churches in Alabama before becoming executive director of the Alabama Council on Human Relations in 1954. At the council, he became deeply involved in the Civil Rights movement in the South and worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Continuing his focus on human rights, he and Dottie were missionaries to the African countries of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Zambia from 1961 to 1966.Upon their return to the United States, Bob began a career as a mediator with the Community Relations Service of the US Department of Justice, working there from 1967 to 1994. After retiring from CRS, he chaired the Board of Church and Society for the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church and served as coordinator of the Peace with Justice program of the conference. Bob and Dottie both have been active in the Mercer Island United Methodist Church and Bob was a member of the Mercer Island Lions Club. In 2010, the couple moved to Timber Ridge retirement community in Issaquah. Bob is survived by Dottie, their four daughters and their spouses, eight grandchildren, and a sister. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at Mercer Island United Methodist Church, 7070 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island, WA, 98040. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercer Island United Methodist Church at the above address or to the Peace with Justice Program, Pacific Northwest United Methodist Annual Conference, P.O. Box 13650, Des Moines, WA 98198-1009. Online obituary and guestbook at www.flintofts.com.