Lasting Memories

Robert Edward Mueller
Nov. 14, 1928-July 2, 2023
Woodside, California

Robert Edward Mueller, born November 14, 1928, in Oakland, California, passed away July 2, 2023, at the age of 94.

A dentist by profession, he was perhaps better known as a master chef, accomplished pianist, singer, and actor, and handyman extraordinaire.

In 1945, at the age of 16, Bob entered Stanford University, studying a wide range of subjects, including science, which would become a life-long passion. After graduation, he embarked on the first of many overseas adventures. He loved to reminisce about traveling from New York to London on a Dutch passenger ship, where he and other young people aboard found a little-used room with a piano. There they would spend their evenings, forging lasting friendships, as Bob played the piano as they all sang the songs of the day. Upon arriving in England, he bought an Ambassador motorcycle to explore postwar Europe on the cheap.

When he returned to California, he pursued dentistry at UCSF, and then joined a dental practice in San Jose.

Bob embarked on another sort of adventure in 1961 --- the theater. In his first theater production, “Sing Out, Sweet Land”, he was thrilled to be directed by the legendary Lilian Fontaine, mother of Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine. Many other productions followed, including being a part of the Woodside Players. His last acting gig was Foothill College’s production of “Kiss Me Kate”.

In 1963, he married Margaret Mary Murphy, born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. Together they had three children, twins Gordon and Declan and daughter Megan.

After the death of his first wife, Bob married Kathleen Pogue Van Rheenen Mueller in 1978, blending his family with Kathy and her three children, Brian, Erin and Derek Van Rheenen.

Bob and Kathy loved to travel, including journeys such as walking tours of Italy, France, and Nova Scotia, African Safaris, ski excursions, and beach holidays. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Kathleen Pogue Van Rheenen Mueller, his devoted sister, Mary Lou Mueller Dorking, his children, Gordon and Declan Mueller, and Megan (Drew) Damici; his three step-children, whom he considered his own: Brian Van Rheenen (Susan), Erin Van Rheenen (David Webster Smith)m and Derek Van Rheenen (Vincent O’Connell); his grandchildren, Angelina and Anthony Damici, and Lauren and Shelby Van Rheenen; and his great-granddaughter, Bodie Flynn Thomas. All of his family, as well as his beloved cat, Shadow, miss him terribly.

In lieu of flowers, the family hopes that you will treasure those close to you.