Travis Henry Mueller, M.D., or “Bud” to most who knew him, passed away peacefully March 4. He will always be remembered as a very special husband and father, grandfather, great grandfather and beloved family doctor to the Kirkland community. Born in in 1923, Mueller was raised on the family farm in Fayette, Missouri, and later graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1945 with a degree in Chemistry. During his undergraduate studies he enlisted in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps, allowing him to pursue his passion for higher education in the field of medicine.
He then wed his college sweetheart, Peggy, in 1946, a union so beyond love there are no words to describe, lasting nearly 60 years. Early in their marriage, after attending St. Louis School of Medicine, Mueller earned his medical degree in 1949. Following graduation the couple embarked on his armed service commitment, moving to Tacoma, Wash. where he was stationed at Madigan Army Hospital. Nest, came a year long deployment to Korea with Peggy staying behind in the states. It was during the Korean Way that Mueller was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. In 1952 this young family now with two daughters in tow, was on the move again. This time, a transfer to Turkey, where they spent two years.
In 1955, the couple returned to the states where Mueller took discharge from active service a Fort Leonard Wood Springfield, Mo. He continued serving his country in the Army Reserves, ultimately retiring as a full Colonel. Fond of their time in the Pacific Northwest, they decided to return to settle in Washington State. During this time the family grew, having a son and another daughter. Mueller cofounded the Lakeshore Clinic on Lake Street n Kirkland. The clinic grew and eventually moved into its own award winning building on State Street, later expanding to Totem Lake, and most recently joining EvergreenHealth. He was also one of the many community members instrumental in establishing EvergreenHealth hospital. Mueller has now come full circle in life. He will be deeply missed by his family, as well as by the community that he loved and served so well.
Travis was preceded in death by his wife Peggy and son-in-law David.
He is survived by his four children: Barbara (George) Allison, Patricia (Don) Azeltine, Richard (Sarah) Mueller, and Karen Kruegar. Five grandchildren: Kate (Greg) Contreras, Stephen (Natalia) Allison, Travis Azeltine, Alyssa Mueller, and Trenton Mueller. Three great grandchildren: Ava Contreras, Elle Contreras, and William Allison.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the American Lung Association or the National Audubon Society.
A Celebration of Life will be at noon, on March 26, at Sahalee Country Club, 21200 NE Sahalee Country Club Dr, Sammamish 98074. For more information, call (425) 868-8800.
