John Muth Obituary

I met Dr. John B. Muth during my "guess-who´s-coming-to-dinner" moment during the Christmas holidays. Even though my coming to his home was last minute, my welcome from him and Mrs. Eileen was stellar.

By the end of that holiday, I was already calling him Dad (with his permission).

Dad was responsible for so many firsts in my life in the brief time that I was a part of his family; he provided emotional support through a tough time in my life, and in providing an example of how medicine is service, influenced how I performed service in my medical discipline.

But the most important was his being an example of what a father was supposed to be. Until I met Dad, I did not have good father figures. He replaced those old templates, so when I think of what a Father should be, Dad is there.

Love you, Dad, thank you for everything.

For all the time, diligence and dedication dad showed to the public he served through his life, my memories are overwhelmed by the attention he paid to his family. From camping the interior of Alaska, to island hopping in Hawaii, to hitting the slopes of the Rockies, he always made the time. I miss him greatly.

John and Eileen made beautiful music at Sacred Heart Church when they led the choir. They often had choir members over for food and fun at their home. Thanks for your beautiful service!

John was without question the most verbally savvy public speakers I have ever heard, not to mention the best boss ever. He would use reverse logic so well to those that opposed his view point, that they didn't know what happened and were defenseless. His quick wit and sense of humor made him so fun to talk to. He was more than my boss for 19 years, he was my friend. I can't help but smile when I think of him.

John was part of an endangered, if not vanishing, species: a person of unimpeachable integrity. (Saying that makes me the Champion of the Obvious, doesn't it?)

John on his birthday in 2022 - we will miss seeing and sharing his delight in life and enjoying his unique sense of humor. What a brilliant, kind and gentle man.

My dad was always quick with a joke and a smile at the ready...especially when he had a fish. "Last year I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He was using a dotted line. He caught every other fish." - Steven Wright | Dad would have chuckled at this sentiment and then on they fly would have one upped up Steven Wright the comedian. No doubt about it!

DR.JOHN MUTH WAS COMPASSIONATED MAN HE SUNG IN SOLI DEO GLORY A COMMUNITY SINGING GROUP HE HAD A BEAUTIFUL SMILE HE WILL BE MISSED, MAY CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO THE HIS FAMILY

From Chris Muth-
The thing I remember the most about growing up with Dad is that no matter how busy he was he always had the time to help us kids figure out how to do things. I learned about plumbing, electronics, and auto repair from him and became decent at those things at an early age. I thought it was normal for a 13 year-old kid to be able to fix a TV or put new brushes in a generator on a Willys Jeep. We would just shrug our shoulders and carry on when his friends thought that it was remarkable while repairing their cars or TVs.

John memories from Linda Muth-

John was always ready to laugh, cook, talk current events and discuss anything else we were up to. He stayed up late and got up early to do his Public Health work and still made time to go skiing, make plans for family vacations, or help us fix the engine in our car. We had some lovely quiet nights sitting on back porch in the summer singing, and Dave and John played guitars all in tune with adult libations. 

We went skiing noon to moon at Keystone with him one Friday. On the last run we were coming in while some lovely loud tenor swooshed down the hill with us singing opera. I´m sure John would remember which opera, I just remember the magic of that moment!

We took many of his suggestions on where to camp, vacation, how to repair everything (including having the tools), and what to try next for fun in life. All thoughtfully recommended with a lot of humor and curiosity. Life was meant to be lived, enjoyed and shared-and that will always be remembered.

From Chris Muth-
The thing I remember the most about growing up with Dad is that no matter how busy he was he always had the time to help us kids figure out how to do things. I learned about plumbing, electronics, and auto repair from him and became decent at those things at an early age. I thought it was normal for a 13 year-old kid to be able to fix a TV or put new brushes in a generator on a Willys Jeep. We would just shrug our shoulders and carry on when his friends thought that it was remarkable while repairing their cars or TVs.

From Dave Muth-

Dad was my first hero, (Mom was my first heroine). I learned everything about love, and family, and happiness, from both of them. When I was a little boy in New Orleans, Dad saved a lady who was trapped in her car in floodwaters during Hurricane Hilda. He dedicated his life to public health. Later, when we lived in Tuba City, Arizona, John and Eileen used to help poor Navajo and Hopi Indians take care of their babies, and their whole families´ nutrition. Dad ran the hospital there, as well as many other medicine and obstetric jobs. Later yet, when I was a teen in Alaska, he worked as a doctor and as the Chief Administrator over that whole, giant state. His patients and their families always loved him. When he moved to Colorado he began a second career as the El Paso County Health Director. He started many innovative, and life-giving projects that we all still enjoy.

He is still my hero.

I worked with Dr. Muth for many years at the Health Department. I loved him. He was fun and funny and made work a joy.
I had a baby and told him I had to quit because I couldn´t leave him. John said just bring your baby to work put a crib in your office!