This year, Brother Frederick Mueller celebrates his 56th year as a De La Salle Christian Brother. He was born in Biddeford, Maine, the son of Rose and Frederick Mueller. Along with his sister, Marie, Brother Fred grew up in the West End of Providence and attended the Assumption School until the family moved to Cranston where he continued his schooling at Saint Matthew School. Upon his graduation from Grade 8, his family moved to Smithfield and he began as a freshman at La Salle Academy.

After graduation from La Salle, Brother Fred attended The Catholic University of America and graduated summa cum laude in 1971 with a degree in German language and literature. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to obtain a master’s degree in education from Manhattan College (1975) with a specialization in reading and a doctor of education degree from Boston College in 1994 with specialization in administration, supervision, and instruction. His doctoral dissertation was on the “Goals of Lasallian Secondary Schools” and his doctoral comprehensives were passed with distinction. He is a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa, education honor societies.

Brother began his teaching career in New York City as an English and religion teacher at a number of schools in the Queens borough. He then came to Rhode Island in 1977 to teach remedial English and social studies at the Ocean Tides School and Residential Treatment Center, joining St. Raphael Academy the following year to chair the Religious Studies department.

He left St. Ray’s to serve for five years as Auxiliary Visitor/Assistant Provincial for the Long Island-New England District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and three years as the assistant superintendent for Catholic Secondary Schools for the Diocese of Providence.

In July of 1987, Brother Fred returned to La Salle and served as principal until 1995 when he left La Salle to become an assistant professor of education at Salve Regina University. He then served in administrative roles for the Christian Brothers in New York, Rhode Island and Rome, Italy. He returned to La Salle in 2005 as the coordinator of Faculty/Staff Professional Development and Lasallian Formation until 2019.

Brother Fred retired in July of 2019 and is currently living at the Christian Brothers Center in Narragansett, RI. “Retired” is a misnomer for Brother Fred, though, as he is an active participant on social media, following current students’ academic, athletic and artistic achievements and posting his kudos and encouragement often. He continues to be a contributing writer for the La Salle magazine and is often called upon for his knowledge of Lasallian history.

Brother Fred has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years, including: The Miguel Medal, given for outstanding service to the students of the San Miguel School, Providence, in 2005; Distinguished Lasallian Educator, LI-NE District, in 2008; The Brother John Johnston, FSC Award, given for regional leadership in Lasallian Mission, awarded in 2011; and The Companions on the Journey Award, for extraordinary service to youth, awarded by the Diocese of Providence in March 2012.

Brother has written two monographs, three chapters of books, and multiple articles in a variety of publications in addition to his unpublished doctoral dissertation.

“I am honored to have been chosen to be inducted into the La Salle Hall of Fame.  La Salle Academy has played a very significant role in my life over many years---as a student, as principal, and as a member of the faculty.  La Salle accompanied me as a young man growing up, as a middle-aged professional, and as a veteran mentor to others.  It helped me, as a young man, to discern my vocation to become a De La Salle Christian Brother through the example of the Brothers who were my teachers and the Christian community of the school which supported my own religious values.  The education I received and the values that were presented to me have allowed me to become a competent professional, a life-long learner, and a leader within the Lasallian World.

I would ask future generations of Lasallians to always remember that they are in the holy presence of God---a God who loves them no matter what, a God whose mercy is without bounds, a God who reveals himself in ways and in persons that we might least expect.  This God calls us to love tenderly, act justly and walk humbly.”