Dad's Obituary

I am posting Dad's obituary below, for those of you who didn't get to see it. I wrote it and sent it to the Elbert County News last year. Here it is:


Edmund Louis Mueller III, physicist and nature lover, died Monday, May 14, at Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker, CO. He was 64.

Ed fought a brief but valiant battle against cancer and advanced liver disease, both diagnosed in late February. Family surrounded him throughout his illness.

Born Nov. 19, 1942 in Battle Creek, MI, Ed lived a life captivated with exploration of our physical world and universe, yet grounded by duty, loyalty, and love for his family. His quiet curiosity about life, the breadth of his knowledge, and his subtle sense of humor inspired and charmed those around him.

The mold for Ed’s life and love of nature was set in Alaska—first as a child where his father was Commandant of the Army Arctic Indoctrination School, spending summers as a teenager working with the USGS, and later studying at the University of Alaska. It is in Alaska that he left his heart—he transferred to the University of Alabama to be near his mother who was diagnosed with late stage breast cancer—but he found great solace throughout his life exploring the outdoors and in the high plains of Elbert, CO, where he spent the last ten years of his life.

Ed served 21 years in the Army, retiring a Lieutenant Colonel and continuing service as a civilian in the defense industry.

Ed will be deeply missed by his wife, Barbara Miller; five children, Deana, Eric, Jill, Mindy, Kristi; two stepchildren, Jyoti, Shona; six grandchildren, Kiote, Cody, Gavin, Tara, Aidan, Rebecca; his sister, Karen Phillips; and many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 2, 1:00 pm, at Kiowa Creek Community Church, 231 Cheyenne St. Kiowa, CO.

Memorial donations can be made in Ed’s name to the Nature Conservancy:
The Nature Conservancy
Attn: TREASURY—Reference #11547299
4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22203, USA