Robert Wayne Muller, a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades, respected radio executive and founding member of St. Matthew’s Church, passed away of natural causes at home, in the company of his family, on March 18. He was 92. Wayne will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, successful businessman, skilled handyman, and a darn good fisherman. He also enjoyed engaging in philosophical debates with his children around the dinner table. He was born in Royal, Nebraska, on October 14, 1918, the son of Fred and Forna Muller of Norfolk. While attending Norfolk High School he met his future bride, Mary Virginia Brodboll, on a blind date. They remained a couple for 77 years. Graduating in 1936, Wayne was awarded a scholarship to Lake Forest College, north of Chicago. To help with college expenses, he worked as a night clerk at the historic Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest. Late one night, he outsmarted an armed robber who knocked him out with his gun and tied him up in the lobby. The robber didn’t get much because Wayne, realizing he was vulnerable working alone at night, had hidden most of the cash-register money. Financial difficulties during the Great Depression forced Wayne to leave college prematurely. He moved to San Luis Obispo, California, to work at the world’s first motel’the Crossroads/Mo-Tel Inn’before reporting to the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. While on leave, he married his high school sweetheart on Easter morning 1941 at St. Augustine’s-by-the-Sea Church in Santa Monica. After completing his military service, Wayne and Mary moved to Pacific Palisades, where they lived for all but one of their 70 years of marriage. Together, they raised a family of five children. Wayne liked nothing better than spending his vacations camping and trout fishing with his family. Blessed with a resonant voice, Wayne took broadcasting classes in Hollywood and, in 1943, found his first job as an announcer at station KOB in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He and Mary returned to the Palisades the following year so he could take a similar job at KIEV in Glendale. As his family grew, Wayne transitioned to the advertising sales side of the business: first at KBIG, followed by a long tenure at KPOL (later KZLA) in Hollywood. He retired from Capital Cities Broadcasting in 1983 after 40 years as a prominent and well-respected radio advertising executive. During his retirement, Wayne and Mary undertook an unusual hobby: assembling the world’s largest collection of stocking darners. He lectured at antique conventions and authored the definitive reference book for collectors titled ‘Darn It! The History and Romance of Darners.’ After the founding of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in 1941, it became a focal point for the Mullers’ lives. Wayne was the parish’s first lay Eucharist Minister and served in that role for over 50 years. He was also part of the congregation that purchased the historic Garland estate on Bienveneda Avenue, where the church and school reside today. In addition, Wayne served as a vestry member and was a founding member of the Chime Ringers Guild, affectionately known as the ‘Ding-a-Lings,’ playing the chimes for St. Matthew’s services. All five Muller children graduated from St. Matthew’s Parish Day School, where Wayne served as president of the parents council. For more than three decades, Wayne and Mary volunteered their services to the nonprofit St. Matthew’s Thrift Shop in Santa Monica, which helps fund many local human-services agencies. Wayne was a talented handyman and tenaciously devoted many hours to home improvements. His family had a saying: ‘When Dad builds something, it stays built!’ Following a fire at the St. Matthew’s Thrift Shop, he volunteered his skills to refurbish the store so it could continue its mission as a community outreach program for the church. He also contributed his time as the shop’s bookkeeper. Wayne is survived by his wife, Mary, 91; his five children, Stuart Muller of Pacific Palisades, Nancy Schiff of Chico, Robert Muller of San Luis Obispo, Jonathan Muller of Paradise, and Elizabeth Muller of Oakland; five grandchildren, Payson and Daniela (Stuart’s children), Randall (Nancy’s child), and Jeffrey and Linsey (John’s children) and a great-granddaughter, Astrid Caroline (Stuart’s granddaughter). A sixth grandchild, Katharine Maryanne, passed away in 1996. A private memorial service was held on April 6. The family suggests donations in Wayne’s honor be sent to the Neighborhood Youth Association, 1016 Pleasant View Ave., Venice, CA 90291.
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