Mike’s my oldest nephew.  I did not know him well when he was a young boy.  But, in 1977 when Mike was 19, we got a chance to know each other better.  I had bought a brand new Cheoy Lee 33 foot sailboat in Seattle and needed to take it to Juneau, Alaska.  I had already convinced two sailing friends to go with me but needed a fourth.  Thinking of Mike I  called Jerry, talked to Mike and convinced him to join us on an almost three week cruise from Tillicum Marina in Lake Union through the Inside Passage 1000 miles to Juneau.  Mike somehow agreed to join one person he barely knew and two he did not know at all on a trip that none of us had made in a small boat before.

Mike joined us in early July ready to go.  When we got to the marina the boat was a mess, the shipwright had told us it would be ready for the trip but there was a lot to do: radio to install, depth sounder, diesel stove, extra battery, fix this, fix that, etc., etc.  We all busied ourselves with loading the boat with food, supplies pots, pans, lines, spare anchor, life jackets, dishes, books, tools, spare parts, and beer in the bilge where it would stay cold.  Finally we left Lake Union on July 11.  The trip was great and Mike was the best crew member we could expect, he did anything we asked, and became a great sailor.

When we got to Bedwell Harbor Canada Customs took our fresh corn away and told us that US Customs would confiscate our potatoes.  Mike and Ernie Greek (another crew member) went digging in the mud of the harbor and brought back a bucket of oysters.  I freaked out, worried about paralytic shellfish poisoning and Hepatitis A.  But Mike and Ernie shucked the oysters and made oyster stew.  It was good, and it didn’t make anybody sick.

After dinner Mike and Ernie took off for a local watering hole and did not get back until late ( actually about 3:30 AM).  Al Eagle (the other crew) and I stayed on the boat and went to sleep, we did not hear them come back aboard.  When we got up to get the boat ready to go, Mike was sound asleep in his bunk but Ernie was nowhere to be found inside.  Al was convinced we should just leave Ernie there, but I thought we should try to find him.  Eventually we got out of the boat and found Ernie passed out on the foredeck.  We left him there, got the boat running and left for Lesqueti and Campbell River.  Sometime later Mike was up and about no worse for wear but Ernie was long time recovering from late night partying.

Ship’s orders thereafter required the crew to be on board before midnight and beer would be provided on board.  When we got to Prince Rupert we found ourselves beerless on a Sunday and the only place we could go was the Canadian Legion.  Al was a former Naval Officer and could get us in, but then proceeded to insult our hosts by describing the throne in the Queen’s portrait over the bar as tattered.  We four beat a hasty retreat back to the boat.

All in all a great trip and I got to know Mike better as a hardworking, agreeable, fun, sharp, creative, caring guy willing to do anything we asked (at least once).  Unfortunately he did not get much of a chance to go fishing, but did catch a small sand shark in Kindergarten Cove north of Ketchikan.

 We miss you Mike, take care.

Your Uncle Ernie (Skip) Mueller

Sharing Wenatchee Valley Medical Center email:

Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 10:46 AM
To: WVMC All Staff
Subject: From Dr. Freed: Mike Mueller's passing

Dear Physicians and Staff,

As you may know, our colleague Mike Mueller passed away Saturday, February 2, from cancer.  Mike was a PA-C in Anticoagulation, and worked at WVMC since 2007.  Our staff, patients, and community cared deeply about him.  Three close colleagues shared some thoughts with me about Mike:

“Mike was a wonderful, kind person as a friend and to work with. At work, he always put his patients first! Empathetic, compassionate, loved to teach, and take time to hear his patient’s story.  Mike took great pride in building his new home and loved putting in his native garden with Gail. And of course, he loved his dog. It’s such an inspiration to me to see how well he handled living with his cancer right to the end. He never complained.” – Susan Hunter

“Mike was an extraordinary man and I am grateful I had the opportunity to work with him!  He was a caring, kind and compassionate provider and his patients always knew he wanted the best care for them.  Mike appreciated that it takes a team to provide the safest and best care for patients and he made everyone in the group feel valued for their contribution.  He generously shared his wealth of knowledge and always took advantage of learning something new from others in our group.  Mike recognized the best in people and inspired me to be my best!  He always had a positive attitude and could make a bad day seem like a party!” - Lisa Vaughn

“Mike Mueller was one of the most knowledgeable Physician Assistants I've ever worked with. I learned so much from him. But far more important is how much Mike cared about people. He loved to teach and always went beyond the call of duty in giving the best of himself to his patients, his family and his friends. Mike was an amazing man and a wonderful friend and his passing leaves a hole in my life and the lives of all who know him. I will miss him terribly, but I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to know him and has his friendship in my life.” - Rich Edison

Mike loved animals and wished for any donations to be directed to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society; Anticoagulation is collecting donations to deliver in his honor.  No services will be held.

Our deepest condolences to Mike’s family and friends; we honor his memory, and feel grateful that we had an opportunity to work alongside such a wonderful provider.  

Sincerely,
Stu Freed, MD

Sharing other postings found online:

 February 11, 2013 ~ Lauren Mitchell, Washington

February 06, 2013
Mike was a kind and gentle person who will be greatly missed.
~ Susan Fisher, Corvallis, Oregon

February 06, 2013
Mike was such a joy to know. I have such good, warm, and fun memories of Mike in drum corps. You were a light in the darkness Mike, thank you for that. My prayers are with your family.
~ Annie Bart Gaidos

February 06, 2013
So sorry for your loss! Mike was a great person with a bigger than life heart for friends, family and all others. He will be greatly missed and may our heavenly father give him guidance and continued support. With great love,
~ Brock Rasmussen, Spokane Valley, Washington

February 07, 2013
I am so thankful for having the privelege of knowing and loving Mike. He was a special person and will always be in my heart.
~ Karen Bemis

February 07, 2013
I grew up looking up to mike.I was always proud to be his cousin.He was such a kind and wonderful person.
~ PJ Bemis, Spokane, Washington

 February 11, 2013
Worked for years with Mike. He was a wonderful collegue and PA. Sent my own family to him many times. He will most certainly be missed.
~ Julie Orr (Lake Stevens, WA)

February 11, 2013
I have great memories of working with him here at The Everett Clinic in Occupational Medicine. He was a great consultant on orthopedics and fishing tactics to the staff and a great provider to work for. He will be missed.
~ Tom Wolf, Everett, Washington