Robert J Mauel

Major Robert J. Mauel, retired, passed away on Monday December 8, 2025 peacefully in his home at 6 am. Robert was born at home March 1, 1930, in Appleton, Wisconsin to Marie Madeline McDaniel and Gregory Michael Mauel. He grew up in Appleton where he worked as a frameman for the Bell telephone company until he joined the Air Force in 1950 at 20 years old. In 1952, he applied for the aviation cadet program completing training in 1953 and promoted to 2nd Lt and pilot. Robert married Marjorie Ann Brown in Big Spring, Texas in 1953. They had to marry off base since Robert could not get married while a cadet but, Marjorie needed to marry by a certain date to leave military service early. The base chaplain helped arrange the marriage and when Robert graduated his instructors told him they knew he got married but he was quiet about it so they did not report him. Their first child Michael John was born in 1955, followed by daughter Debra Ann in 1956. Robert continued at Webb, AFB as an instructor pilot before transferring to Elmendorf AFB near Anchorage, Alaska as a communication officer in 1957. Their son Tim Robert was born in 1958. From 1960 to 1962 he attended Oklahoma State University graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was assigned to March AFB, California as a liaison between the Air Force and companies building the Minuteman Missile program. His son Craig William was born in 1963. In 1964 he was assigned to Reese, AFB, Texas as an instructor pilot serving there until 1967 when he was transferred to Perrin AFB, Texas. Major Mauel served as squadron commander of a unit teaching pilots how to be instructor pilots. Major Mauel retired in 1970, moving his family to Austin, Texas. He was hired by The Texas Pollution Control Board as a permit engineer. In this position, he helped regulate industrial pollution in Texas. He retired from the state position after 22 years and enjoyed 33 years as father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Robert was a ferocious reader and very compassionate giving to family, church and charity. One example of his empathy, for over a decade he supplied a full Thanksgiving dinner to a family without letting even members of his family know.

Major Mauel is survived by his sister Nancy, sons, Michael (daughter in law Lynne), Craig, daughter Debra (Fred), daughter-in-law Ann (Tim previously deceased),grandons Jerod, Zachary, and Ryan, granddaughters Heather, Cassandra, and Amber (Kevin), great grandsons Bashton and Chase, stepchildren Adam (Annetta), Matthew (Lisa), Sara (Todd), and step grandchildren Luka and Ansley. Robert will be interned next to Majorie, in Assumption cemetery in Austin, Texas.

A visitation will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, located at 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX 78731, on December 16, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The funeral service will follow at the same location from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

A graveside service will take place at Assumption Cemetery, located at 3650 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704, from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm on the same day.