Gale Doren Muller, 71, of Lincoln, passed away June 10, 2015. Born May 22, 1944 in Columbus, NE to Earl Joseph and Dorothy Ann (Johnson) Muller. Gale was Vice Chairman – Gallup Inc and General Manager World Poll. Gale served on the Board of Directors for the Gallup Organization, The Village Foundation, Special Olympics Nebraska and Community Blood Bank. He also received numerous awards including the Gallup 1st Ever World Poll award, the Kansas City Royals Buck O’Neil Legacy Award, and co-authored the Power of 2.
He is survived by his wife, Kay; son, Edward. J. (Leigh Ann) Muller, Lincoln; daughter, Kelly V. Muller (Josh Johnston), Portland, OR; grandchildren, Atticus T., Helena L., Henson K., and Dasha M. Muller, Lincoln; brothers, Gary L. (Cindy) Muller, Mission Hills, Ks, Dennis J. (Judy) Muller, Altoona, IA, Dean E. (Judi) Muller, Springfield, Il; sister, Kathy K. (Terry) Nelson, Shawnee, Ks ; nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by parents.
Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday (6-17-15) First-Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 ‘D’ St. with Rev. Dr. Jim Keck officiating.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to The Village Foundation c/o Leigh Ann Muller, 7907 Nob Hill Road, Lincoln, NE, 68516. No Visitation/Cremation.
As Gale would say it:
I have lived a wonderful and charmed life.
I often say that to live a productive, meaningful, and happy life, you need these three things: first – some talent…things you can do with your hands or your head that can make you productive; second you need to work hard, very hard; and three you need some breaks in life….some luck. Well, thanks to our ancestors, I have some intellectual tools; I’ve worked pretty hard….not as hard as some or my parents, but pretty hard; but, I sure have been lucky. Lucky to have been born into a wonderful family with loving, unselfish, hard-working, high character parents and to have such great brothers and sister….very few people are so lucky.
And, then, early in life, 53 years ago, lucky to have met the love of my life….who made me “whole”…..and smart enough to know I wanted to marry her after the first date! And, so very lucky to have two wonderful children who have loved us and cared for us and have become two shining ‘stars’….each in their own way. And then, four beautiful grandchildren….to love and nurture. Is that enough luck? No, I have more. In the spring of 1964 I went to work for Don Clifton (part time work-study job) and, since then I have worked for the Clifton family (directly or indirectly) for over 51 years!
Some people with whom I worked early on at SRI didn’t see the future, but somehow I did….maybe some more luck! And, in that job, Kay and I traveled around the world. I got to organize hundreds of consultants….worldwide. And, got to initiate and run for 10 years, the very FIRST and still ONLY World Poll. So, I AM the luckiest man in the world. And, I have my faith….maybe a little different than others, but, I have come to grips with the power of Science as a part of the power of God.
Gale loved life and it’s many flavors – sports, work and people.
He loved all sports but especially baseball and a 60-year love affair with the KC – Athletics to the current Royals – he loved the game, the players and maybe the most the game’s strategy.
He loved his work at Gallup and other charities to which he gave graciously of his time and energy. He loved his work at HEP in the 70s to his early days with Don Clifton at SRI and eventually Gallup. He led many innovations utilizing surveys to help the world be a better place. His recent work with the World Poll continues to be one of the greatest feats in the history of polling and survey research.
Gale loved people most of all. He had the ability to see the best in people – their “strengths”. He has nurtured hundreds of people over the years and allowed others to take most of the credit of their combined work. Gale’s love of family exemplified his true spirit of giving – to his parents, brothers and sister, son, daughter, grandchildren and to his lifelong mate – Kay.
He will be missed by many!