Ernest P. Muller

89, of Lewiston, Maine passed away April 1, 2008 at the Androscoggin Hospice House in Auburn, Maine surrounded by his loving family after an extended illness. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, April 9, 1918, the son of Ernst and Margaret (Zeipke) Muller. He graduated valedictorian from Pennington School, Pennington, New Jersey, in 1936; attended Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, in 1940. He continued his illustrious academic career at Columbia University, New York, where he received his Masters of History in 1947 and his Doctorate of History in 1957. He was a U.S. Naval Air Force veteran, serving from 1942 to 1947, in the South Pacific, aboard the light cruiser Phoenix. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Air Force Reserves from 1947 to 1952, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1950, he was hired by Bates College, Lewiston, Maine as an instructor of history, reaching full professorship in 1963. Professor Muller served as Chairman of the History Department for many years and retired in 1988 as Professor Emeritus of History. He was a "teacher's teacher" who showed the standard of excellence to thousands of students during his career. A colleague remarked that he treated his students with dignity, never patronizing nor condescending, and never stopped caring about how much he could teach them. He was a member of the New York Historical Society and the American Historical Society. Honors included the Bates College Service Award and induction as an Honorary Member of the Bates College Class of 1956. He was a member of the original committee from Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Colleges that established the television station WCBB, now known as MPBN, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. His passion for teaching carried over into other interests: his love of music, particularly opera; flying; his travels with his wife, throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and Africa; camping; and his gardening. He was married to Acquilla (Peg) Muller on April 16, 1947. They had a loving and supportive marriage for over 60 years, enjoying their many mutual interests. He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Ellen, and husband Thomas Leonard of Mansfield, Massachusetts; his son Peter Muller and wife, Brunilda of Gorham, Maine; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Private family services will be followed by a memorial service at the Bates College Chapel on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 3 pm for family, friends and colleagues, and former students. Following the memorial service, a reception will be held at the Franks Lounge at 280 College Street on the Bates Campus. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ernest P. Muller Book Fund or the Ernest P. Muller Scholarship Fund, Office of College Advancement, Bates College, 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME 04240-6028 or the AHCH Hospice House Fund, 15 Strawberry Avenue, P.O. Box 819, Lewiston, Maine 04243-0819.