Frederick W. Mueller Jr.

August 9, 1933 - May 7, 2014
Frederick W. Mueller Jr.

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Colonel, USA (Ret) Frederick William Mueller, Jr, lately of Williamsburg, died quietly in his sleep on May 7th after a long battle with cancer. He was 80. ìFritzî had a long and distinguished military career spanning the cold war, Vietnam and beyond. His second career was spent as Assistant to the Director of the Regional Water Utility in Newport News. VA.

Born in Atlanta, he was the son of the late Frederick William Mueller and Alma Mueller. Following graduation from the Citadel in Charleston, SC in 1955 with a degree in Civil Engineering, he was commissioned as a second Lieutenant in the US Army. In 1956 he gyroscoped with the 3rd Armored Division to Germany, where he met and married Christa Huchthausen.

Fritz received a Masterís degree from Purdue University and graduated from the Army CGSC at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Navy War College in Newport, RI. He was a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin. His career with the Army Corps of Engineers included a variety of assignments which included Vietnam, assignment to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY; Korea, an engineer battalion command at Ft. Rucker, AL; the Army Engineer District in Seattle, WA a tour with NATO in Brussels, Belgium, and assignment as District Engineer in Rock Island, Illinois. His last military assignment was as the Resident Member of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors. His numerous decorations included the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, a Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

After retirement from the Army and twelve years with the City of Newport News, the family enjoyed summers at their cottage on Frye Island, ME, where Fritz was active in the town government and the fire department. In the off seasons he indulged his love of woodworking, travel and archaeology. For almost twenty years he became a regular volunteer for the Jamestown Rediscovery project. He has been a founding member of the new Tidewater Virginia Historical Society, and since 1997 was a faithful part of the team uncovering the ìNorthern Virginia Colony,î Ft. St. George at Popham Beach in Maine.

Fritz is survived by Christa, his wife of 56 years, sons Fritz III of Lagos, Nigeria and Maureen Whitehouse of Cambridge MA; COL (Ret) Peter Mueller and Suzanne Pelletier of Burke, VA; Christopher and Mary Helen Mueller of Manila, PI; daughter Anna Branner and son-in-law Gregory Branner of Fredericksburg, VA; grandchildren Katelyn, Matthew, Alexander Mueller of Burke, VA; Merete Mueller of Brooklyn, NY; and Maeve Mueller of Cambridge, MA; sister and brother in law, Ann and Mike Ekman of Waynesboro, VA.

A memorial service will be at St. Martinís Episcopal Church in Williamsburg at 2PM on Wednesday, May 14th. A late summer burial at Arlington is pending. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Citadel Foundation;171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 20409, or to Jamestown Rediscovery Project at Historic Jamestown; 1365 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, VA 23081.


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  • May 09, 2014
    Robert Hannah says:
    Fritz was a dear friend and colleague in the Planning Committee efforts on Frye Island, Me., and the development of the c Comprehensive plan under his direction.. We enjoyed hacking the golf course in Maine and and we generally split the wins and losses. He was a gentleman and he will be missed.

  • May 13, 2014
    Dick Ludwig says:
    Fritz was a true leader, and a person who commanded the respect of all his associates in every endeavor. He will be greatly missed by his wonderful wife and family, and by all others who knew him.

  • May 10, 2014
    Joe Burkart says:
    Fritz was part of the very fiber of Jamestowne and a leader of Colonial Captal Branch Preservation Virginia (APVA).He was a founder of the new Tidewater Virginia Historical Society and critical to it emerging success. A good man who gave his all to his community-God Speed Fritz.

  • May 14, 2014
    Sarah Stroud Clarke says:
    I am saddened to hear that Fritz has passed away and know that he will be missed terribly on the island. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  • May 13, 2014
    Kristen Judkins says:
    I speak for the Gilead Angels, and we are so sorry for the loss your family has endured. We were going to send flowers but instead will be making donations to both charities as per the family's wishes. Many hugs and much love to you all during this difficult time. We send wishes for peace and serenity to you all.