AUBURN – Professor Ernest P. Muller, 89, of Lewiston, passed away April 1 at the Androscoggin Hospice House surrounded by his loving family after an extended illness.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., April 9, 1918, the son of Ernst and Margaret (Zeipke) Muller.

He graduated valedictorian from Pennington School, Pennington, N.J., in 1936, and won the Senior Speech Prize. He attended Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa., graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in history in 1940, where he was a member of Sigma Rho Lambda. On campus, he was recognized as a sincere scholar who was well-versed in all academia. He continued his illustrious academic career at Columbia University, New York, where he received his master’s of history in 1947, and his doctorate of history in 1957.

He was a U.S. Naval Air Forces veteran, serving from 1942 to 1947, in the South Pacific, aboard the light cruiser Phoenix. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Air Forces Reserve from 1947 to 1952, retiring with the rank of lieutenant commander. Flying was one of his joys in life.

In 1950, he was hired by Bates College, Lewiston, as an instructor of history, reaching full professorship in 1963. He served as chairman of the history department for many years and retired in 1988 as professor emeritus of history. He was a “teacher’s teacher” who showed the standard of excellence to thousands of students during his career. A colleague remarked that he treated his students with dignity, never patronizing nor condescending, and never stopped caring about how much he could teach them.

He was a member of the New York Historical Society and the American Historical Society. Honors included the Bates College Service Award and induction as an honorary member of the Bates College Class of 1956. He was a member of the original committee from Colby, Bates and Bowdoin colleges, that established the television station WCBB, now known as MPBN, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. At Bates College, the Ernest P. Muller Book Fund and the Ernest P. Muller Scholarship Fund, were established in his honor.

He was a frequent and avid reviewer of history texts for JSTOR.

His passion for teaching carried over into other interests: his love of music, particularly opera; his travels with his wife, throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and Africa; camping; and his gardening.

He was married to Acquilla (Peg) Muller on April 16, 1947. They had a loving and supportive marriage for more than 60 years, enjoying their many mutual interests.

He was a member of the High Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Auburn.

He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Ellen, and husband, Thomas Leonard, of Mansfield, Mass.; his son, Peter Muller, and wife, Brunilda, of Gorham; granddaughters, Rebecca and Chelsea Muller; granddaughter, Lynne, and husband, Brian Pedranti; granddaughter, Leslie, and husband, Brian Keddy; grandson, Timothy Leonard; grandson, Sean Leonard, and wife, Chrishelle; grandson, Todd Leonard; granddaughter, Traci Provost; granddaughter, Kimberly, and husband Eric Himmelreich; great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Jordan Pedranti, Alexis and Caden Leonard and Landon Himmerlreich.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to care given by the wonderful staff at Central Maine Medical Center, most especially the Intensive Care Unit staff, and the medical staff and caregivers of the Androscoggin Hospice House for their compassionate support and care. Deep and heartfelt thanks are extended to the Rev. Deborah Tate Breault for her support.