Obituary of Richard Muter

Richard Muter Nick name: Dick Family contact: Shirley Viewing times: Sat. February 24, 2007 from 2-4 and 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral time: Sun Febuary 25, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Reedsville Burial location: Gladesville Cemetery Notes: Richard “Dick” Bowman Muter went to be with the Lord on February 22nd, 2007, after a lingering illness. He was 64 years old. He was born January 14, 1943, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the only child of Irvin and Wilma Muter. He was a direct descendant of Patrick Gass, the oldest living survivor of the Lewis and Clark expedition. He grew up in Wellsburg West Virginia. Richard had a love of chemistry that began in childhood and lasted him his whole life. He graduated from Bethany College with a BS degree in Chemistry and Physics in 1965. He went on to obtain an MS degree in Chemistry from West Virginia University in 1970. For several years, he was an Associate Professor at WVU in the College of Mineral and Energy Resources. His primary area of interest was Coal Research and Preparation. However, his other areas of interests included the following: beneficiation, utilization and characterization of coal and coal-associated wastes; development and application of analytical chemistry techniques for chemical analysis; application of physical chemistry principles to coal research problems, and petroleum refining. He was a gifted teacher, who delighted in sharing his love of science and mathematics. In addition, Richard belonged (or was a delegate or chairperson) to many professional organizations including: American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers (AIME), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the International Standards Organization (ISO), the British Minerals Engineering Society, the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute, the Central Appalachian Section of AIME, and the Interstate Oil Compact Commission. Richard was also socially active as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Preston Memorial Hospital during the 1980’s. He served as a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America, and was a talented drummer. He was also a member of the advisory Committee to the Preston County Superintendent of Schools, Curriculum Committee, for the Academic Center But over and above all of Richard’s professional and social accomplishments, he was the most proud of his family. Being an only child taught him the importance of family which he emphasized again and again throughout his life. Richard met his wife Shirley Boylan at WVU in 1968. They were married on October 11, 1969. He stated many times throughout his life that Shirley was the single most important thing that ever happened to him. The only thing he would claim to be of greater importance was his salvation through trusting Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Reedsville, West Virginia. Richard is survived by three daughters: Laura Wiggs and her husband Kyle of Morgantown, Amber Tichnell and her husband Travis of Masontown, and Rebecca Muter of Independence. Richard is survived by 3 grandchildren: Madeleine Jane Wiggs, 10 years old, Luke Richard Wiggs, 7 years old, and Amelia Jo Muter Tichnell, 23 months. We will love and miss him. Live long and prosper.