Dr. Norbert Hermann Mueller

The Rev. Dr. Norbert Hermann Mueller, Sr. entered God’s kingdom on his baptism on March 27, 1927. He was born of German immigrants Hermann Mueller and Anna Winter Mueller on October 23, 1926 and departed this vale of tears on January 10, 2013. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marian (Barr); son Norbert, Jr. (Carol); daughter Sascha Looper (Tim); and daughter, Catherine Burkee (Jeff). He is also survived by eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his sister Diann (Richard) Berndt, sister Anita (Frederick) Schultz, and brother Michael (Cordelia) Mueller.

A native of Rochester, New York, he received his Bachelor of Divinity and Bachelor of Arts from the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod’s (LC-MS) Concordia Seminary, St. Louis 1954. Upon graduation he received a Graduate Fellowship that enabled him to write his Masters Degree in Sacred Theology, awarded him in 1955. In 1980 he was awarded the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio. He served three parishes in Michigan: St. Paul, Sanford; Faith, Bridgeport; and St. Paul’s, Ann Arbor. At one time he served as Secretary of the Michigan District of the LC-MS. In 1976, he accepted a divine call to Concordia Theological Seminary, then of Springfield, Illinois where he was professor of Systematic and Practical Theology. There he taught seminarians his passion for preaching the Gospel of the saving faith in Jesus Christ, the only way of salvation. He was also faculty secretary, Director of Placement, Vicarage, and Field Education department; Assistant to the President, and Interim President. He served there until his retirement in 1993. He served on the LC-MS’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations for 19 years, including being Secretary for several of them.

In 1990 he co-authored a textbook, published by Concordia Publishing House, Pastoral Theology.

During a sabbatical he taught at the Lutheran Seminary at Obit Idim, Nigeria. In his retirement, he continued his passion for education on the African continent, consulted on establishing a classical seminary in Accra, Ghana and teaching at a seminary in South Africa. Also in his retirement he served as an executive assistant to the LC-MS Texas District president, preached on occasion at Zion Lutheran Church, Dallas, and led a weekly Bible class.

He was a leader, whether in the church or larger community. His clarity of thought and ability to articulate it is seldom matched and will be missed. He baptized many and shared the love of Jesus with even more. He was a pastor’s pastor that loved and cared for his flock. He loved the LORD Jesus Christ with all his heart!

Memorials may be made to Lutheran World Relief or Zion Lutheran Music Ministry