Hans Heinz Muller, MD

Dr. Hans Muller, a long-standing member of the Kingston medical community, died at his residence on November 9th. He was 89 years old. Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, he spent his first 18 years immersed in Amsterdam's cultural environment. He developed a love for music, art and literature that was to sustain his spirit for a lifetime. It was this appreciation of beauty that he sought to share with his family, friends and colleagues. Hans graduated from Innsbruck University, Austria with a medical degree in 1947. From 1950 through 1953 he served as house physician at an English school for Pakistani students in Pakistan. He grew to appreciate different cultures; their foods, their customs and their peculiar health challenges. These interests led him to pursue a degree in Public Health in London from 1954 to 1955. Upon his graduation he obtained employment with the World Health Organization and held many assignments throughout Africa for the next several years. In the early 60's, at a World Health Organization meeting in Geneva, he met his future wife, Rita Pacheco. She also was on assignment in French West-Africa, and by his own admission it was love at first sight. He was blessed to spend the next 40 some years with the love of his life. Hans immigrated to the United States with Rita and at 45 years old again resumed his medical studies . He attended Albany Medical College and served as a Rotating Intern and then Resident in Anesthesiology at Pittsfield General Hospital in Pittsfield Massachusetts from 1965 through 1968. From 1968 through 1969 he studied pediatric anesthesiology at The Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston. He became a partner in Anesthesia Associates of Kingston and practiced at Kingston Hospital from 1972 until his retirement in 1989. Hans was a world traveler, both as a doctor and as an adventurer. He was a lover of music, art, the written word and politics a gourmand who demanded perfection and a man never without an opinion. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Pacheco-Muller on November 7, 2005. Survivors include his son, Dr. Christoph Muller; his daughter, Yvonne Winklmann; granddaughter, Laura Winklmann; grandsons Dr. Raphael Muller and Lukas Winklmann; and great-grandchildren Benedikt and Louisa Winklmann all residing in Germany and Austria. Following cremation, a private memorial service will be held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. he will be buried next to his mother and his wife, Rita. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice Foundation, Inc., 34 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401. Condolence messages may be sent to the Muller family by visiting www.SimpsonGaus.com