Fritz P. Mueller

Beloved Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Educator, Mentor, and Coach
On Friday, Nov. 7, the Lord called home Fritz P. Mueller to join Betty, his loving wife of 58 years. He was a special brother to three, father of four, grandfather of eight, teacher, mentor, coach, and a great friend to many.
Fritz Mueller was born in the Town of Hamptonburgh, New York on April 12, 1924 to his loving parents Richard Walter Mueller and Margarethe J. Beger, and is survived by his sister Elizabeth LaVena, brothers Walter and Herbert Mueller, his children, Glen Mueller (Loretta) of San Diego, CA, Gail Fischer (John) of Rio Verde, AZ, Donna Finkelstein (Ray) of Roslyn Estates, NY, Dawn Preston (Stephen) of Port Washington, NY. As a teacher, educator and coach Fritz instilled the importance and joy of family, education, hard work, and teamwork to his eight beloved grandchildren; Gretchen and Eric Mueller, Jaime Stilson-Maiz and Danielle Stilson, Evan and Dana Finkelstein and Andrew and Daniel Preston.
Fritz grew up on a farm and graduated from Maybrook High School before matriculating to Cortland State University in 1941. He played soccer, football and basketball before leaving school in 1943 to join the U.S. Army. He spent 18 months in the European Theater of Operations (Engineers 1567). Fritz returned to Cortland in 1946 and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1947 and then went on to receive his master’s degree in education from Columbia University. Fritz was inducted into the C-Club Hall of Fame in 1992. It was at Cortland where he met Betty, his beloved wife. From 1949-1953, Fritz taught and coached at Cornwall (NY) High School. In 1953, Fritz took a position at Manhasset High School on Long Island, NY and the family moved to nearby Port Washington. At Manhasset, Fritz was an educator; coached football and basketball; and prior to his retirement in 1982 served as the Athletic Director. He was later inducted into the Manhasset Athletic Hall of Fame.
Always active within the community, Fritz was Past Exalted Ruler at the Port Washington Elks, a former Master of Lodge at the Port Washington Masonic Lodge and a Deacon in the Manhasset Congregational Church. After retiring, Fritz and his wife Betty moved to Mesa, AZ. He remained a very involved community member in Apache Wells serving as President of the Apache Wells Shrine Club and Country Club Board. In retirement Fritz was an active member of the Apache Wells Community Church, helped children through service in the El Zaribah Shriners, an athlete who enjoyed playing and volunteering in many golf tournaments. He was instrumental in the development of the Apache Wells Softball League; construction of the Apache Wells Softball Field – Mueller Field (named in his honor) and enjoyed by over 600 athletes; and served as the League’s commissioner for many years.
A celebration of Fritz Mueller’s Life is planned for 2 p.m. on Dec. 13at the Congregational Church of Manhasset, 1845 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, NY 11030.   In lieu of flowers, please consider making a transformational gift to the Fritz & Betty Mueller Memorial Scholarship, through their alma mater, SUNY Cortland. Checks can be made payable to the Cortland College Foundation PO Box 2000 Cortland, NY 13045. In the memo line, write Mueller Scholarship.