Robert Joseph Muller

Robert (Bob) Joseph Muller passed away of ALS on December 6th 2021 in Mission Viejo, California. Bob was born in 1940 to Joseph and Blanche Muller. Robert was the younger brother to Marilyn Quinn of Louisville, Kentucky. He was raised in Fair Lawn, New Jersey where he enjoyed an active childhood and made life-long friends.

In high school “Bobby” played many sports and was the captain of the varsity baseball, basketball and football teams at Fair Lawn High School. He was an outstanding athlete and received a full-ride scholarship to pitch for Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In 1962 he led Wake Forest to victory in the ACC championship. After graduating, Bob played briefly with the Chicago Cubs AAA team. Shortly thereafter, Bob was drafted into the US Army where he continued to play baseball while he served.

Bob met the love of his life, Rita Penzerro, when she came to interview for a job as his secretary in the human resources department at PerkinElmer. It was love at first sight. Bob and Rita married in 1967 in Norwalk, Connecticut. Dominick and Lena Penzerro, Rita’s parents, loved Bob immediately and were happy to have him join their family. Bob and Rita had their first child, Ryan Joseph Muller, on December 17, 1972 in Norwalk, Connecticut.

In 1974, PerkinElmer promoted Bob to a job in Southern California. Though it was difficult to leave family and friends, the move began a new chapter of Bob’s life. Soon after the move to Mission Viejo, he joined Coldwell Banker as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources.

Lauren Muller (Gleason) was born in Mission Viejo on April 21, 1975. As his family grew, so did his friendships. Bob was active as a member of the Mission Viejo Tennis Association, the Mission Viejo Country Club, and a slow-pitch softball team. He also coached Ryan’s Little League baseball teams for eight years. Through these activities, he and Rita enjoyed a large circle of much loved-friends.

Bob was diagnosed with non-hodgkin's lymphoma in 2004 for which he was treated and achieved a permanent remission. Bob was thrilled to later become grandfather to Ellie Gleason, Dominick Muller, Quinn Gleason, and Kennedy Muller. Becoming a grandfather was one of his greatest joys. He was an active and engaged grandfather who loved playing sports with them and spending time with them in nature. As the grandkids grew older, he attended as many of their athletic events as possible, cheering for them every step of the way. This past year he especially enjoyed following the grandkids on-line as they ran cross country races where he could analyze the numbers and enjoy race photos.

Bob enjoyed simple pleasures of walks in the woods, delicious meals, and beautiful songs. He loved woodworking, house projects, tending to his succulents, reading “thriller” novels, and keeping up with current events. Bob and Rita loved to dance together and were always happy for a chance to do so. Trips to the mountains were a favorite for him, especially Mammoth and Tahoe for hiking or skiing. Bob and Rita took many trips together nationally and internationally.

Through his struggles with ALS he never complained and maintained his characteristically positive outlook on life. He appreciated everything that was done for him by his wife and friends. Bob was grateful for the life he lived. It was a beautiful life full of family, friendship, laughter, and love. Every day was a new day to enjoy and live to its fullest. He worked hard and played harder. He will be missed by all who knew him, but he will also be fondly remembered.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Blanche Muller, and his father-in-law, Dominick Penzerro. He is survived by his wife, Rita, his two children, Ryan Muller and Lauren Gleason, and his four grandchildren, Ellie and Quinn Gleason and Dominick and Kennedy Muller. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Quinn, his mother-in-law, Lena Penzerro, his sister-in-law, Rose Marie Penzerro, as well as his niece and three nephews.

A celebration of life is planned for Friday, December 10th at 2:00 at Fairhaven Memorial Services in Mission Viejo. Contact the family if you would like a link to the livestream of the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Direct Relief, Feeding America, or the Southern Poverty Law Center.