Robert Louis Mueller November 14 1938 ~ April 11, 2023

Robert Louis Mueller (aka Bobby Mueller) was born November 14, 1938 in Riverside, CA to Bonney (Fielding) and Louis Carl Mueller. The youngest of four children, the family moved to Sante Fe, NM in 1942 where they had a small ranch.
Bonney was the Governor’s personal secretary while Lou was often sequestered in Los Alamos. This is why and where young Bobby found his passion for music, especially the guitar. He was a sometimes lonely boy who became an accomplished musician and was well known throughout the southwest from a young age.
He worked with many big names while avoiding the spotlight himself, by design! A move to Yuma, AZ, where his father was an electrician and the Union Boss, provided an opportunity to follow in his footsteps. An electrician by trade, he was honored as Apprentice of the Year in Arizona.
Before that, Bobby married Leona LeVone “Vonnie” Wilson on his 18th birthday. Jerilyn, Jay Dee, and Joy were born to them along with a daughter, Pamela, who only lived a few hours.
Bobby and Vonnie led a very rich and fun-filled life traveling around the country playing music. After Vonnie learned to play the bass guitar and drums, he also helped his father-in-law with riding colts on various ranches as needed.
They settled in Cortez, CO as their kids went through high school. Bobby tried on many hats during his adventurous life, from various TV shows in Arizona (comedy, teaching guitar), Cortez Police Officer, recording studio, and creating a television station.
Opening their own bar business led them to Mexican Hat, UT in 1979, close to Vonnie’s aging parents in Bluff, where, along with Jay and Joy, they bought the Top of The Hat Bar and later built the El Sombrero Café.
In 1990 Jay and Bobby remodeled the bar into the quaint and successful Mexican Hat Lodge. The Swingin’ Steaks was added in 1991 along with Joy and her husband, Clint Howell. Jay later took over Bobby’s love of grilling steaks. The family band, consisting of Bobby, Jay, and Joy, continued to play for the public until 2017 when Joy had to retire from music.
Bobby and Jay still played occasionally with other bands until Bobby lost feeling in his fingers. It was such a difficult transition for him and he greatly missed his guitar and steel guitar.
Grandkids, family, music, dancing, great food, and a lot of jokes made for a tight-knit family of which he was very proud!
Bobby loved to tinker. KD7-HLL was his Ham Radio call sign and a hobby that gave him many hours of enjoyment. He made countless friends throughout the years from each hat he wore. He was an inventor and gave away ideas that could have been lucrative to him with no regret. He simply loved progress. He loved exploring Lake Powell on his jet ski and staying on his houseboat.
He had a deep faith his entire life, a deep love for country, and a forgiving heart. An intelligent man who loved to debate…well...any topic, usually with a large dose of humor!
Bobby was preceded in death by his wife Vonnie, daughters Pamela and Jerilyn, granddaughter Tracy Mueller, son-in-law Clint Howell, grandson-in-law Heath Gapp, his parents, brother Thomas Mueller, and sister Marilyn Wright.
He is survived by his son Jay, daughter Joy, nine grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren along with extended grandkids, greats, and great-greats, sister-in-law Cleta (Ken) Blevans, sister Barbara (Gary) Clark, and nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.
Bobby passed away at home on April 11, 2023 at the age of 84. His dear friend and companion Barbara Pearson was honored to be by his side as he gently left.
Although his health was deteriorating it still came as a surprise to everyone as he was of sharp mind and witty to the end, curious as to who would be wearing roller skates in heaven!
The family would like to thank Barb and her family for being such a wonderful presence in his life the last few years. Bobby’s ashes will be buried in the Urado Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held in Mexican Hat in June.