From https://obits.ocregister.com/obituaries/orangecounty/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=191662281

George Kenneth Muellner

George Kenneth Muellner flew west Monday, February 11, 2019. Lt. General George Kenneth Muellner (F) was born on July 10, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois.

He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1967 through ROTC and began an illustrious career as a fighter pilot, test pilot, commander and senior manager. He flew 690 combat missions in Southeast Asia in the F-4 and another 50 missions as Commander on the E-8 Joint Stars deployed to Operation Desert Storm. He was a graduate of the Fighter Weapons Instructor Course and a graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School. He was a test pilot on F-15, F-16 and numerous classified aircraft programs. He was Commander of the 6513th Test Squadron and Commander of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. He served numerous assignments in USAF before returning to Air Combat Command Headquarters as Chief of Staff for Requirements.

General Muellner led the formulation of the requirements for a new strike fighter aircraft and was designated the director and program executive officer of the Joint Advanced Technology Program, which evolved into the F-35 Fighter that is in service for USAF, USN, USMC and numerous allied military services. Lt. General Muellner's final USAF assignment was as principal Deputy for the Office of Assistant Secretary to the Air Force for Acquisition formulating requirements and funding for the 21st Century U.S. Air Force.

George retired from the USAF in 1998. During his distinguished military career, he earned the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 37 oak leaf clusters, and a Purple Heart.

In 1998, George joined The Boeing Company. He served as President of the Phantom Works, Boeing's advanced research and development unit, and was Vice President of Air Force Programs. He retired from Boeing in 2008 as President of Advanced Systems for the Integrated Defense Systems business unit.

In addition, George served as Chairman of Air Force Association, a Fellow and Past President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Aerospace Corporation and as a member of the Board of Directors for Mercury Systems Inc. He is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

George earned a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois, and Masters degrees in Aeronautical Systems Management (USC), Electrical Engineering (Cal State University), Business Administration (Auburn). He was a devout Catholic and member of the St. Bonaventure Church of Huntington Beach, California.

George was a distinguished leader, a respected intellect and a generous philanthropist. Many lives he touched were greatly enriched over his long and very productive career. He is survived by his wife, Vicki, and brother, Phil.