Robert Arthur Mueller

Robert Arthur Mueller, age 95, of Germantown, Tennessee, much loved husband, father,
grandfather and great grandfather, met His Lord and Savior on January 29, 2026. In his final
days, he was surrounded by his devoted wife of almost 70 years and his loving family.

Bob was born on November 14, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the only child of the late Arthur
Ludwig Mueller and Loretta Rades Merk. He grew up in Plymouth, Wisconsin, but he spent his
summers at "Wahchesao," the cottage that his mother and stepfather built on Shawano Lake in
Shawano, Wisconsin in 1941 when Bob was 10-years-old. Bob would go on to spend almost
every summer of his life on Shawano Lake, sharing the cottage and life on the water with his
wife and three more generations. Bob's family has fond memories of their summers spent in
Shawano with Bob.

Bob graduated from Plymouth High School in 1948. He continued his education at Mission
House in Plymouth for two years and then at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

In 1952, Bob was drafted into the United States Army. Because of his strong typing skills, he was
appointed to be the secretary to a two-star general based in Fort Bliss, Texas. On June 30, 1954,
Bob was honorably discharged from the Army, and he returned to the University of Wisconsin in
Madison.

In 1954 while he was at the University of Wisconsin, Bob met Barbara Kathryn Becher of
Appleton, Wisconsin in an anthropology class. Bob, who was a charismatic and social
individual, initiated a conversation with Barbara. The professor called them out for disrupting
the lecture and said, "Girl in the green dress move over." After class, Bob apologized to the
professor. He had made an impression on Barbara, and the two began dating.

In 1955, Bob graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin
and began working in pharmaceutical sales for McKesson.

Two years after they first met, Bob married Barbara on June 16, 1956 at the chapel on the
University of Wisconsin campus. It was just the beginning of their long and devoted marriage.
In 1957, Bob took on his favorite role yet. He became a father when he and Barbara welcomed
their first child Pamela Ann. Soon after, they welcomed a second daughter Patricia Barbara, and
then, they had a son, Robert David.

Bob's job transferred him and his young family to Memphis, Tennessee in 1962. Bob and
Barbara raised their children in Whitehaven. Their family quickly grew as they were blessed
with three more children - William Joseph, Kurt Arthur and Kay Delia. Although Memphis
became their home, Bob and Barbara drove their children to Wisconsin every Christmas to visit
family and every summer to enjoy life on the lake at the cottage in Shawano. Bob and Barbara
made a lot of effort and sacrifices through the years to create a close-knit family.

The Lord continued to bless Bob and Barbara's family, and their family grew. All of their
children married and started their own families. Bob adored his sons and daughters-in-laws and
loved them as his own children. Steve Ruleman, Lee Ann Buford Mueller, Ginny Stewart
Mueller and Scott Gardner brought more joy and laughter to their close-knit family.

Then Bob became "Paw Paw," and he delighted in being a grandfather to 13 grandchildren. The
family traditions continued, now including his little grandchildren. Paw Paw was an involved
and doting grandfather who supported his grandchildren in all of their activities and endeavors,
regularly traveling to watch his grandchildren shine.

Bob's family grew even more when his grandchildren married. He gained 6 more grandchildren
by marriage - Mary Ashley Storm Ruleman, Haley Moore Ruleman, Justin Sparks, Noah
Goldkamp, Carley Taggart Mueller and Austin Welch. He recently celebrated the marriage of his
granddaughter Peyton Gardner to Austin Welch in November.

Bob, the patriarch of the Mueller family, eventually became a great grandfather to ten. His great
grandchildren adored him and all of his stories and traditions. They delighted in their trips to his
cottage in Wisconsin.

Bob continued working in sales and traveling to see his customers into his nineties. After
McKesson, he sold leather goods for Rolf's/Amity, and then later jewelry. Bob's outgoing and
personable self thrived in sales. He never met a stranger, and he loved visiting his customers,
who became dear friends, all over the country. When Bob was almost 90, the jewelry company
he worked for closed their business. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity to retire, Bob drove
himself to Houston, Texas to interview for a new job in jewelry sales. He was offered the job
and continued working up until his death.

Words cannot adequately convey what a charismatic, personable, thoughtful, sentimental, loving,
compassionate and extraordinary man Bob was. He possessed childlike wonder. He enjoyed the
simple moments in life with his large family. Not much delighted him more than cruises down
the channel off of Shawano Lake with his boat loaded down with his family. He was the life of
the party, and enjoyed cocktail hour, especially on the lawn in front of the cottage with his family
and neighbors. He loved the Christmas season, and always had the largest real Christmas tree in
his den adorned with colorful lights and a train around the trunk, which reminded him of his
childhood, traveling by train to visit his dad. It was on those train rides that he decided he
wanted to work in sales. He saw business men riding the train to make their sales calls, and his
interest in sales was sparked at a very young age.

In a world where hustle is the norm, Bob operated at a different pace. He did not rush out of bed
in the morning, and he spent his time enjoying a lavish breakfast spread while reading the
newspaper. He was always available for a long chat or visit. His family would often hear hear
him say "What's the big rush?" "Now hold on a minute!" or "Come sit down." And he would
offer a drink. If a newspaper article reminded Bob of someone, he would clip it out and mail it
to the individual with a handwritten note. He was quick to visit friends, family and neighbors in
the hospital or nursing home. His frequent acts of kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness
touched those around him and spoke volumes of his character.

Bob's hobbies included traveling. Large family trips are the norm in the Mueller family. Bob
loved the trips Barbara planned for their children and grandchildren, particularly the trips to Walt
Disney World, Universal Studios and many Royal Caribbean Cruises. Bob enjoyed sailing the
Caribbean with his children and many of his grandchildren just three weeks before he departed
this world. Bob and Barbara's children and grandchildren remain close because of Bob and
Barbara's efforts, thoughtful planning and investment in time spent with family on all of the
holidays, family vacations and summers at the cottage. Together they created rich traditions for
their family.

Bob also enjoyed fishing with his family, catching many Northern Pike on Shawano Lake
through the years. Bob's suit jacket lapels were adorned with fish hook pins, which were a
symbol representing Matthew 4:19 when Jesus calls his disciples to be fishers of men. Bob was
a sharp dresser, known for his trademark of monogrammed shirts and freshly pressed
handkerchiefs.

He loved cheering for his Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers along with all of his
children and grandchildren's university teams. He was a patriot, who loved his country and
closely followed politics. He was always informed on the latest sporting events, political news
and world developments, as he read the newspaper and watched the news daily.

Bob was a faithful and involved member of Faith Lutheran Church in Collierville, Tennessee.
His family would like to thank Pastor Clayton Sellers for the loving pastoral care he provided
Bob, especially during seasons when he was unable to worship with the church body.

Bob leaves behind his loving wife Barbara Becher Mueller, his six children, Pamela Mueller
Sextro (Jerry), Patricia Mueller Ruleman (Steve), Robert "Robby" Mueller (Lee Ann), William
"Billy" Mueller (Ginny), Kurt Mueller and Kay Mueller Gardner (Scott). He leaves his 13
grandchildren Jerry Sextro, Katie Sextro Buchholz (Wes), Brad Ruleman (Mary Ashley), Ryan
Ruleman (Haley), Kathryn Ruleman Sparks (Justin), Meredith Mueller Goldkamp (Noah), Matt
Mueller (Carley), Becher Mueller, Kohl Mueller, Molly Mueller, Peyton Gardner Welch
(Austin), Alex Gardner and Drew Gardner. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren, Storm
Ruleman; Miller Kate and Hayes Ruleman; Gunther, Graham, Griffin and Garner Sparks; and
Lucy Mueller.

Bob was proceeded in death by his mother Loretta Rades Merk, his father Arthur Ludwig
Mueller, his stepfather Joseph W. Merk and his stepbrother Joseph J. Merk.

Bob's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Bob's exceptional medical team,
particularly Dr. Michael Posey, who provided Bob with wise medical advice through the years
and extraordinary and compassionate care especially during the last few year's of Bob's life
when he faced complicated medical challenges. Dr. Posey helped Bob overcome those health
setbacks so that Bob could resume living a full life with his wife at home and at his cottage in
Wisconsin.

Bob's life will be celebrated at Faith Lutheran Church in Collierville, Tennessee. Visitation will
be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, February 6, with funeral services scheduled to follow at 1:00 p.m.
at the church, to be conducted by Pastors Rob Harbin and Clayton Sellers. His burial will take
place on Saturday, February 7, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church's "Faith Forward" building
project, 507 New Byhalia Road, Collierville, Tennessee 38017.
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15.