Robert Mueller

Robert W. Mueller, 80, went to join the heavenly chorus praising Jesus Christ his King on January 18, 2022.

Mueller w as born on July 15, 1941, the son of Walter H. and Maynola A. Franke Mueller.  He was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church being baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, La Grange.

Mueller met Shirley (Bravenec), the love of his life, in 1966 while they were both teaching in Brenham. They were married at the Brethren Church in Caldwell on June 25, 1967. The couple were blessed with two daughters, Christie and Cara. He was particularly happy when sharing moments and visiting with his three grandchildren Colby, Ryan, and Emilia.

Mueller was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church of Brenham since 1967. He loved to sing in the church choir, served several terms as Church Council Secretary, and worked on various committees within the church.  He installed in his daughters the importance of worshiping the Lord, and he rarely missed attending until his failing body would not allow him to do so.

Mueller was a retired Blinn College instructor. During his tenure (1964-94) he served as speech and journalism instructor as well as Public Information Officer. He was the advisor for the “Log” campus newspaper from 1965 through 1993, a milestone length of newspaper sponsorship that no other Blinn newspaper advisor has achieved since the establishment of the campus newspaper in 1931. His students received over 150 writing awards by the Texas Junior College Press Association, Texas Intercollegiate Press, and All-American awards by the Associated Collegiate Press. Mueller wrote many stories and Blinn promotional inserts for area newspapers including the best football press guide by the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Mueller was so proud of the achievements of his many students as successful citizens in their careers. He tried to instill in his students the importance of responsibility in fulfilling tasks and high ethos by being individuals known for telling the truth with whatever they do in life.

Mueller had an appreciation for local and Texas history as well as collecting antiques. He wrote, “A History of the Blinn Morning Rattler, 1919-21”, a handwritten newspaper read by students while Blinn was of academy rank, “Birth Starts Collection” in the national “Plate Collector” magazine, a history of the antique Hershel Spillman carousel in Fireman’s Park, and a story on couponing and refunding in the “National Supermarket Shopper”. His favorite collections included items from America’s 1976 Bicentennial and early turn of the century postcards.

Mueller graduated from La Grange High School (1959), Blinn College (1960), Sam Houston State University with his bachelor of science degree (1963) and his master of education degree (1967). He did post graduate work at Texas A&M University and East Texas State University. He taught at Taylor High School, Taylor, Texas, during the 1963-64 school year.

Mueller always had part time sales positions in addition to his teaching. During his childhood years he operated and owned Bob’s Snowcone Hut in downtown La Grange. For a number of years he sold insurance for Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance in Brenham and perhaps is best remembered as the Watkins Man salesman when he gave out candy suckers for children for Watkins Products of Brenham. After retirement from Blinn in 1993 he worked for Brenham Fitness Center, for the Law Office of Mary Hennessy, and substitute teacher for First Baptist School.

Besides his devoted wife of 54 years, he is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Christie and Eugene Hall Jr. of League City and Cara and Eddy Jezisek Jr. of Brenham.  He also had three dear grandchildren, Colby and Ryan Hall of League City and Emilia Jezisek of Brenham. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Joy Mueller of Bellville; brother-in-law, Steve Bravenec of Caldwell; and brother/sister-in-law, Mike and Martha Dodd of Caldwell, and nieces and nephews.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Colby Hall, Ryan Hall, Mike Mueller, Dave Bellante, Kevin Moore, and Scott Peters.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Emilia Jezisek, Eric and Kathy Winkler, Dr. Leslie and Camille Plagens, Billie Schmidt, Edward Dodd, and Chris Dodd.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, January 21, 2022 at Memorial Oaks Chapel, Brenham, TX. Services will be held at 10 a.m,, Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Christ Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery, Brenham.

The family requests that memorials may be given to Christ Lutheran Church, 1104 Carlee Drive, Brenham 77833, or to the Brenham Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 1122, 105 S. Market Street, Brenham 77834-1122.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham Texas, 77833.