Frederick 'Rick" William Mueller

MAJ Frederick (Rick) W. Mueller II

Frederick W. Mueller II, known by many as Mayor Rick Mueller of Sierra Vista Arizona, passed away on May 29, 2024 at the age of 70.   Rick was born at Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, The Territory of Alaska on January 24, 1954, to CPT Harold W. Mueller, MD and M. Maxine Wylie Mueller.  Rick was the second son and second child of four boys and two girls of this Army family. 

Being an “Army Brat” was an experience that unknowing at the time is what built Rick’s foundation to succeed in his adult life.  Rick like his brothers and sisters, moved almost every year in their younger lives living in Texas (Fort Sam Houston), California (Presidio of San Francisco), Nebraska (Neligh), Kentucky (Fort Knox), Colorado (Fort Carson), Texas (Fort Hood and again at Fort Sam Houston), Germany (Stuttgart and Bremerhaven), Louisiana (Fort Polk), and Georgia (Fort Gordon). Rick graduated from Hephzibah High School, Georgia in 1972.  While his family was stationed at Fort Lee, VA; Rick attended the University of Nebraska as an ROTC Cadet.  Rick graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science; within days of graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant Field Artillery Office in the US Army. Like his childhood, Rick, was on the road again.  His military assignments were Fort Sill, OK; Nuremberg Germany; Fort Bliss, TX; USA Recruiting Command, St Paul, MN; Defense Language School, Monterey, CA (in Greek); Athens, Greece; and Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN.  Rick’s Military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon (3).   After his retirement in 1995 (five months after his mother died), Rick settled in Sierra Vista, AZ not knowing he would be the major care giver for his Dad who had a major stroke in 1996.

Per his serving on the Citizens’ Advisory Commission plus attending numerous Sierra Vista city council meetings, planning and zoning meetings, and other civic organizations with his Dad, Rick was encouraged by many to run for city council.  In 2000, Rick was elected to the Sierra Vista City council; where he served for 10 years.  During his tenue on city council, he also served in the capacity of Mayor Pro Tem and advisory on numerous city commissions.   In 2010, he was elected to his first term as Mayor of Sierra Vista.  Rick served as Mayor longer than any other person in Sierra Vista History, serving for 3 terms (12 years).  As a public servant, Rick championed the development of Sierra Vista as a regional center for commerce, medical services, higher education, tourism, and technology.  Maintaining a focus on his military life, Rick advocated statewide and at the federal level many military issues and issues to support veterans and their families.  Rick was a staunch supporter of the military, working closely with Fort Huachuca, the Governor’s office, Representatives and Senators in the Arizona State Legislature, and Senators and Representatives in Congress.   His effort earned him and Sierra Vista national recognitions from the Association of Defense Communities.

Rick has been a member of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Executive Board; Arizona Military Affairs Commission; Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation; Chairman, of the SEAGO Executive Committee; Chairman, of the Upper San Pedro Partnership;  and Ex-Officio Member, Huachuca 50.  He was also active in many charitable organizations.  He served as the President of the University South Foundation, President of the Sierra Vista Rotary Club, President of the 1200 Club, and a member of the Military Officers of America.  Rick also has been on the Salvation Army – Sierra Vista Advisory Board where he was instrumental in the construction of its chapel and community center building. Rick also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout (Order of the Arrow).

Rick is preceded in death by his grandparents Samuel E. Mueller and Emma A. Hanke Mueller and Senator Matt Wylie and Senator Fannie B. Haggard Wylie, Great Uncle Frederick W. Mueller, parents COL Harold W. Mueller and M. Maxine Wyle Mueller, Uncles Howard S. Mueller and Senator William (Bill) M. Wylie, and Aunts Lucille L. Mueller Saylor (Harold) and Nancy M. Wylie Iverson (Larry). He is also preceded in death by his brother William (Bill) F. Mueller, cousin Ronald M. Iverson, and sister-in-law Kristine A. Jones Mueller. 

Rick is survived by his brother James (Jim) W. Mueller (Sandra), sister Mary E. Mueller, brother Erick S. Mueller (Kristi dec), and sister Sonja L. Mueller Beatty (Kenneth).  He is also survived by his nephews and nieces Austin J. Mueller, Amy J. Mueller Reynolds (Anthony), William H. H. Mueller (Mara), and Leah E. Mueller Baranski (Alec).  He is also survived by great nephews Henry T. Mueller and Jack H. Mueller, Aunt Nancy Wylie (Bill dec), and cousins Cindy L. Iverson Beeman (Elmer) and Lester M. Iverson (Colleen).

A viewing will be held at Hatfield Funeral Home on June 16, 2024; 2 – 5 pm.  A funeral service with military honors will be held at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church on June 17, 2024; 2 pm with a reception immediately following. A private family burial will be at the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. Please send all condolences or donation in his memory to Mary Mueller 3724 Miller Street Sierra Vista, AZ 85650.  All donations will be used for the betterment of activities in Sierra Vista, AZ.

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