Hugh Arthur Muzzall, M.D., age 85, of Walla Walla, Wash., died Thursday, May 18, 2017, at his home with his wife, Joyce, by his side.
Dr. Hugh Muzzall was born Oct. 10, 1931, in Ritzville, Wash., to Ernest and Ella May (Mustard) Muzzall. He was raised in Ellensburg, Wash. and graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1949 as co-valedictorian. He attended Washington State University and graduated in 1953. During summers in college, he was employed to work as yeoman in the Purser’s Office on MSTS ships, transporting troops to and from the Korean War. After earning his medical degree from the University of Washington in 1956, Dr. Muzzall took a rotating internship at Ancker Hospital (now Ramsey County Medical Center) in St. Paul, Minn. He served as a Captain in the Air Force from 1957-1959, stationed at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan as a medical doctor. He was able to make trips to India and several Asian countries and also earned his pilot’s license.
From 1959-1960 he took time to travel, skiing in Austria and Switzerland, and sightseeing all over Europe. He then took his Surgical Residency at the VA Medical Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., completing it in 1965.
Hugh married Joyce E. Miller on May 25, 1968, in Seattle, Wash. He was in private surgical practice in Edmonds, Wash., until they relocated to Sheridan, Wyo. from 1971-73, then Aberdeen, Wash. for 12 years, before leaving private practice to join the VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, as general surgeon, until his retirement in 1995. Hugh and Joyce traveled extensively to many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Spain and Greece but also appreciated being closer to home. Many summers were spent on Hartstene Island in the Puget Sound, playing tennis, digging clams and fishing for salmon. Hunting, fishing, boating, photography, gardening, playing cards, reading Hemingway, making wine and beer, doing crossword puzzles and writing many short stories of his life adventures were just a few of his diverse hobbies. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, watching their many activities and sharing his stories with them.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Joyce, of Walla Walla, two children, Marie (Ron) Hawkins of Spokane Valley, and Dr. David (Janine) Muzzall of Yorkville, Ill.; five grandchildren, Hailey, Travis, Katie, William and Amanda, plus three step-grandchildren, Kyle, Alex and Aaron; one sister, Ruth Hannah, of Auburn, Wash.; mother-in-law, Jessie Miller, of Sedro Woolley, Wash.; sister-in-law, Charlotte (Henry) Dykstra of Burlington, Wash.; and 12 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Ernest L. and Ella May (Mustard) Muzzall, and his brothers Ernest L. Jr., and Richard E. Muzzall, M.D.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Hospice or the charity of your choice, and may be sent care of Mountain View – Colonial Dewitt, 1551 Dalles Military Rd., Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family may share memories and sign the online guestbook at www.mountainview-colonialdewitt.com.
The family will hold a private memorial service.
