June 27, 1924 – Sept. 8, 2010


Robert L. Mueller, 86, of Appleton, formerly of Waukesha, affectionately known as S.O.B. (Sweet Old Bob), died peacefully at his home Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, of colon cancer.

Bob was famous for his detailed explanations. Ask him a question on any subject and he would give you more information than you ever wanted. Bob was a lifelong target shooter and enjoyed muzzle-loading rendezvous. He tanned his own hides to make his clothes and moccasins for the rendezvous. He was a founding member of the Old Northwest Trading Co. He was a longtime member of the Appleton Rifle and Pistol Club and a former member of Hartland Sportsmen’s Club and Smokey Hollow Muzzle Loaders club. Bob was a U.S. Marine who served in the South Pacific during World War II as a radar technician in the 1st Air Warning Squadron, serving on several islands, leaving active duty in March in 1946 as a staff sergeant. Before enlisting in the Marine Corps, he attended Carroll College in Waukesha. Upon his discharge, he completed his chemical engineering degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Mueller (nee Mueller) in 1947. He was preceded in death by Dorothy in 2002 and his son, Fredrick, in 1972.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Ruys (Joe) of Castle Rock, Colo.; his son, Patrick (Pam) of Muskego; his brother, Andy of Waukesha; grandchildren, Jeff (Stephanie) Ruys, Julie (Matt) Peterson, Suzie (Steven) Tellefson, Jessica Larson and Sam Mueller; and four great-grandchildren.

Bob and Dorothy enjoyed playing bridge with friends. He also had the patent for the container in which the first astronauts mixed their Tang. After he retired, he used his knowledge of packaging to found Tipi Paper. Tipi Paper grew from just a few local clients to shipping international. He volunteered from 1986 to 1991 for International Executive Service Corp., sharing his expertise in plastic food packaging, traveling to several countries and a few islands.

According to his wishes, his body was donated to the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at St. Bernard’s Church, 1617 W. Pine St., Appleton, with a luncheon at the church to follow.

Once a Marine always a Marine. SEMPER FI.