CHRISTUS Spohn Foundation 2019 Annual Report - Page 12

By Steven Alford
There is an old adage that says “Love
isn’t love until you give it away.”
For longtime Corpus Christi residents
Patty and Joe Mueller, their love for
the South Texas community they call
home translated into a passion for
giving back.
Patty Mueller was born in Laredo,
where she lived until she married
the love of her life, Joe Mueller in
1954. That union brought her to his
hometown of Corpus Christi which
became their forever home.
In 1957, the pair started Mueller
Engineering, a petroleum engineering
firm which they ran together for
more than 40 years. The couple
became pillars of the community as
their company grew and soon were
serving as civic leaders.
The pair developed a passion for
giving back which continued
throughout their lives and careers.
My activities, my possessions,
my talents and my blessings
are all gifts from our
Heavenly Father
Patty Mueller
“My activities, my possessions,
my talents and my blessings are all
gifts from our Heavenly Father,” she
recalled. “I do not believe He blessed
me to keep worldly goods for myself
and not share my blessings with
people or worthy projects.”
For Patty, her first foray into
volunteerism was at the gift shop at
then Shoreline Hospital.
The old gift shop was located in an
old elevator near the front entrance,
which she remembers fondly, though
a little claustrophobic, she jokes.
“I particularly enjoyed getting to
know the wonderful sisters who
cared for anyone who walked in the
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