Theodore Rolf Mueller

Theodore Rolf Mueller COLUMBIA - Theodore Rolf Mueller, 85, passed away June 3, 2014, surrounded by family. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, December 14, 1928, to Lela and Rudolph Mueller. Soon after graduating from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, he began teaching high school in Houston, Texas. It was there that he met his future wife, Bernice Wehmeyer. They were married November 24, 1951. Plans to pursue his doctoral degree were put on hold when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953. He served a brief stint in Kaiserslautern, West Germany, where he was joined by Bernice, and sons, Rudy and Michael. After leaving active duty, he attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence. He received his Ph.D. in 1963, although he had already begun working in Oak Ridge in the summer of 1961. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bernice, three sons and their wives, Rudy (Nancy), Indianapolis, IN, Jon (Rita), Illinois, and Tim (Anne), Columbia, SC; seven grandchildren, Ted (Kate), Charlotte, NC, Kristin, Indianapolis, Kelly, Lisa and Ryan Mueller (Illinois), Laura and Daniel Mueller, Columbia, SC; and two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Noah. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Beverly, and a son, Michael. A memorial service for Mr. Mueller is scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 621 N. Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville, TN or to the Alzheimer's Association, S.C. Chapter, 4124 Clemson Blvd., Ste. L, Anderson, SC 29621. Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.