ARTHUR F. MUSCHLER PAPERS

Arthur Frederick Muschler was born July 22, 1922 in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Arthur F. and Florence B. (Parker) Muschler. During World War II, Muschler served as a forward observer for the 604th Field Artillery Battalion (Pack), part of the 10th Mountain Division. He trained at Camp Hale (Colorado) and Camp Swift (Texas) before deploying to Italy. Following combat in Europe, he was stationed briefly at Camp Carson (Colorado). During the Italian Campaign, Muschler, a 1st lieutenant, received two Bronze Star medals, both for heroic achievement. The first award cited his actions at Mount Belvedere February 20, 1945. The second recognized his actions at Torre Iussi, Italy April 14, 1945.

As a child, Muschler decided to seek a career related to forestry or nature. To this end, he attended Michigan State University, Yale University, the Swiss Federal Technical Institute and the University of Michigan earning multiple degrees in forestry. He taught at Yale University as Assistant Professor in the School of Forestry from 1950 to 1953. He then joined the Edward Hines Lumber Company of Chicago Illinois, where he served more than thirty years as Technical Director. In this capacity, Muschler advised the company on lumber quality at its mills in Oregon and Arkansas and headed its department on new product development and research. He co-authored two books on forestry and tropical woods. These books were based on a U.S. Navy research study. Muschler also served in numerous professional organizations including terms as President of the Society for Wood Sciences and Technology (1961-1962) and the Forest Products Research Society (1966-1967). Muschler retired in 1986.

Muschler was very active in the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, serving as the organization's president (1989-1991) and chairman of the board (1991-1994). He also served as secretary general of the International Federation of Mountain Soldiers (1992-1993). As a resident of Oak Brook, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, Muschler served on the Oak Brook Zoning Board of Appeals (1972-1982). He was also on the board of directors of the historic Gads Hill Center Settlement House, Chicago (1962-1994). Arthur Muschler passed away April 16, 2002 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.