Walter Mueller

Walter Mueller, a man among men, whose life embodied love, adventure, strength, and hard work, passed away on April 26, 2025, at the age of 86. Born in Rottweil, Germany, Walter ventured to the United States in 1959 at the age of 21 where, through his skilled hand, dedication, and selflessness, he became a leader and entrepreneur in a new life he built for himself, his family, and his friends.

No one worked harder and with more passion than Walter on his career in carpentry, cabinet making and construction, building a successful business at J.A. Dunkling Co., with his trusted partner and friend, Harry Mangnitz who passed away in 2011, where he became known for his excellence and craftsmanship in the care he brought to his work. He was a well-known name in the greater Montclair, NJ neighborhood due to his meticulous work, creativity, unrivaled work ethic and honesty. He was a craftsman extraordinaire and became an automatic “go-to” in his customers’ phone books for all their home projects, additions, and carpentry needs. When you drove down the streets of Montclair with him, he would proudly point out seemingly every other house that he worked on. His legacy will live on through the beautiful and timeless structures he crafted in the area.

Walter never sugar-coated life. He possessed a unique blend of sarcastic wit and directness that became endearing to those he loved. He was a straight shooter, never one to mince words, and has coined many "Walterisms" that will live on, such as some popular favorites - "That's a bullshit", "It's a doggy dog world”, “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it”, “Tired is my middle name”, and more recently after a lifetime of sacrifices and hard work, “I like to sit”.

Walter was like a giant sequoia - he wasn’t a tall man, yet loomed strong, large, and tall over life, fueled by passion, unafraid of challenges, eager to face them head-on and conquer them with grace. From skiing off-trail in the Alps and hiking Mt. Washington or snorkeling among the coral reefs in his favorite tropical island Bonaire, Walter embraced life with open arms. He never allowed minor discomforts to interfere with his passions, such as his ongoing love for deep-sea fishing despite his continued sea sickness. Or his consistently burned ankles and feet when he took his family on Sunday summer beach day adventures.

Walter’s natural born leadership and his enthusiasm and sense of purpose and adventure were contagious among family, friends, and construction peers alike, and those around him would often ask “Well, what’s Walt doing?" and then proceed to do the same.

In his youth, Walter also sang with a church boys' choir in Germany, the “Rottweiler Sängerknabe,” and had the honor of competing in Rome, where they performed for the Pope and finished among the top few in the world. Walter led his life with an adventurous spirit and an unwavering resolve and was ferociously protective of his large circle of family and friends. If you were blessed enough to be a part of this circle, you had a friend for life. He was an inspiration to all those who gathered around him and was the definition of “larger than life".

Through it all, he ate it up and spit it out, not in a shy way, and did it his way.

Words cannot express the appreciation of the loving care given to him by his devoted caregiver, Kate, who tended to him with a great deal of admiration and concern, and who selflessly brought bright rays of sunshine to the last years of his life.

Walter was deeply devoted to his wife and “Schätzle,” the love, heart, and soul of his life, Hanni Mueller, who followed Walter to America from Rottweil one year after Walter and passed away in 2023. This bond enriched his life immeasurably.

Walter's warmth and love will continue to resonate through his beloved family. He is survived by his son, Oliver Mueller (Maria), and his daughter, Nicole Mueller, along with his cherished grandchildren: Carissa, Carly (Max), Micaela, Karsten (Kaitlin), and Kelsea. His great-grandchildren, Adeline, Rory, and Ella will carry forward his legacy of adventure, love, and laughter. Many nieces and nephews, both in the United States and Germany, also remember him fondly. Walter was also preceded in death by his twin sister, Herta, his sister, Erika, and his brother, Irving.

Walter will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him and the honor of loving him. As we say goodbye to a true leader of the pack, we are left with heartfelt memories of a man who was tireless in work and steadfast in love. Walter Mueller's spirit will live on in the hearts of those he touched, forever inspiring us to embrace life's adventures and challenges with the same vigor, love, and passion as our “Big Guy.”