Paul Mueller, founder of Paul Mueller Co., dies at age 99

Paul Mueller, founder of Paul Mueller Co., a stainless steel manufacturer in Springfield, Mo., died Jan. 19, 2015.

Mueller began his career in 1938 as a salesman for Smith Heating in Springfield. He and co-worker Gordon Mann founded Mann & Mueller Heating and Sheet Metal Works in 1940. In 1943, Mueller bought Mann’s part of the business and renamed the firm Paul Mueller Co. In 1960, the company began producing food processing equipment.

Mueller retired as president in 1976, serving as chairman of the board until 2004 and chairman emeritus after that.