George H. Muller

George H. Muller, D.V.M. June 6, 1919 - Oct. 3, 2011 Resident of Concord A legend in the world of veterinary dermatology, George H. Muller, D.V.M., died peacefully on October 3, 2011. George was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States to escape the Nazis at the age of 17. He graduated from Burlingame High School. He attended Washington State University and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A. & M. University in 1943. During World War II he served as Captain in the United States Army in the China, Burma and India theatre and received the China War Memorial Medal. While in small animal practice, Dr. Muller realized how little was known about skin diseases of dogs and cats. So in 1958 under the tutelage of Eugene Farber, M.D., Professor and Head of the Dermatology Department at Stanford University, Dr. Muller began to attend the Department's courses and clinics and applied the knowledge to comparative and veterinary dermatology. He eventually became a clinical professor at Stanford University Medical School for over 30 years. Dr. Muller and Opal ran Pittsburg Veterinary Hospital from 1947 until 1956. In 1956, they opened Muller Veterinary Hospital in Walnut Creek. For the 25 years before his retirement, Dr Muller restricted his practice to dermatology, thereby establishing the first full-time small animal dermatology practice in the world. Dr. Muller's increasing understanding of dermatology and his more than 6000 clinical photographs led to the writing of the first edition of Small Animal Dermatology in 1969. Dr. Muller also published other books, as well as numerous articles and chapters on small animal dermatology. He presented over 150 seminars around the world, including dermatology seminars at the annual American Animal Hospital Association meeting for 18 consecutive years. Dr. Muller was cofounder of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology in 1964 and its president in 1968. He was the co-founder of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and its president in 1980. Dr. Muller was also co-founder and honorary charter member of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology in 1983. He received numerous awards and tributes for his work in veterinary dermatology. Dr. Muller established the highly successful "Postgraduate Symposium of Veterinary Dermatology" at Stanford University. It is now known as the "George H. Muller Veterinary Dermatology Seminar" and is sponsored by the University of California, School of Veterinary Medicine. George was known as a humble man with a fabulous sense of humor. He was a friend, mentor and colleague to many. Many young people caught George's infectious love for veterinary medicine and carry that love on as doctors, technicians and researchers. His great love of animals has left this world a much better place to live. George is survived by Opal, his wife of 61 years, who was also his business partner and the love of his life. He also leaves behind two nephews and two nieces. Opal is very grateful to the staff and caregivers at Stonebrook Convalescent Center and to hospice for their professional expertise and loving care of George. A celebration of his life, will be held at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Avenue, Walnut Creek on Friday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to support the dermatology program at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Please make checks payable to UC Regents. On the memo line or in a separate note, please indicate this gift is in memory of Dr. George H. Muller. Mail to: School of Veterinary Medicine, Office of the Dean-Development, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA. 95616.