Dennis Mueller, Ph.D.
Dennis Mueller, Ph.D., 79, of Hopewell, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026 in his home. Born on August 2, 1946, in Moline, Illinois, Dennis led an extraordinary life marked by intellectual achievement, professional excellence, and a deep love for his family and passions.
Dennis graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physics and math from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in nuclear physics from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.
As a principal research physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Dennis was at the forefront of groundbreaking research in controlled thermonuclear fusion. His work involved measuring the temperature of plasmas ten times hotter than the sun and determining methods to control them. Dennis collaborated internationally on the operation of tokamaks in Europe, Korea, and China.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dennis cherished his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. Linda Klee-Mueller of Hopewell, NJ; his sons, Dr. Luke Mueller (Diana) of Glen Head, NY, and Colby Mueller of Pennington, NJ; and his cherished grandsons, Grant Mueller and Grady Mueller of Glen Head, NY. Dennis also leaves behind his siblings, Jamie Mueller (Diana); Sharon Myers (Chuck); and Mark Mueller (Dena).
Dennis was predeceased by his parents, Warren and Margie Mueller, and his sister, Trysh Farber.
In addition to his scientific pursuits and devotion to family life, Dennis embraced a variety of hobbies that brought him immense joy. He was an avid fly fisherman who spent countless hours fishing the West Branch of the Delaware River. His passion for fishing took him to Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho for salmon and trout fishing adventures.
Dennis also had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening as well as growing orchids. A vintner at heart, he took pride in crafting wine. Soccer held a special place in Dennis’s life — it was a family affair that included travels to Europe to attend World Cup games.
A Celebration of Dennis’s Life will be held on August 8, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the family home in Hopewell, NJ. The gathering in Dennis’s home will be to remember him in a comfortable, informal atmosphere just as Dennis would want it.
Arrangements and cremation services were under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit holcombefisher.com.
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Lydia Bass LeFaivre
Lydia Bass LeFaivre passed at home on February 24, 2026, in Hamilton, NJ, after a short illness. She was 88 years old.
Born on June 20, 1937, Lydia was the daughter of Philip H. and Lorraine Mead Bass of Larchmont, NY. Lydia graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall and attended Vassar College before working at D’arcy advertising and later Simon and Schuster in Manhattan, where she met and married Frederick H LeFaivre of Wellesley, MA.
She raised her family in Cleveland, OH, Pensacola, FL, and Wayland, MA, before relocating to Princeton in 1973. In Princeton she was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where she donated her time as a volunteer.
Lydia had a sharp wit and dry sense of humor. She was a lover of literature and was especially fascinated by geography, art and American History. She was also an avid gardener who found joy and peace puttering in the garden. Her happiest moments were spent curled up with a book at Island Beach State Park surrounded by her children and grandchildren or near her beloved dunes in Amagansett, NY.
She is survived by her brother Roderick Bass and his wife Deborah; daughter Laura LeFaivre and husband Jeffrey Sorgler; daughter Christianne Lopez and husband Guilmar; daughter Gillian LeFaivre; and three grandchildren, Zachary, Katherine, and Dylan. We will all miss her sense of spirit and wonder.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
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Volker D. Arendt
1934 – 2026
Volker Arendt, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 91. Born in 1934 in Berlin, Germany, Volker lived a life of remarkable intellectual curiosity, creative passion, and deep devotion to family.
Volker’s early years were spent in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where he studied mathematics and physics at the Technical University of Zürich (ETH). In 1953, he and his brother immigrated to Peru, before Volker ultimately made his way to the United States to complete his formal education.
After completing his undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University, he was awarded the Fellowship to the Textile Research Institute at Princeton, New Jersey to study at Princeton University. There he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in 1963 and 1965, respectively. Settling in Princeton, he pursued his career at various chemical and pharmaceutical companies until his retirement in 2000. Throughout his career he authored and co-authored numerous scientific papers and was awarded dozens of patents. A gifted polyglot, Volker was fluent in German, English, Spanish, and French.
In retirement, Volker embraced various pursuits including painting, sculpture, founding a Toastmasters Club at the Wyeth Corporation, and serving as a docent at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. Always one to enjoy playing host, Volker guided visitors through the park while telling stories about art and sharing his personal passions.
The arts were a lifelong calling. Abstract painting became his signature medium and exhibited his work at many local galleries and businesses. He and his wife collaborated on a beautiful booklet in which his paintings were paired with her original poems — a testament to their partnership.
Above all else, he cherished time with family. He was a devoted husband to Ulli for 60 years, an engaged and loving father to his four children, and a proud grandfather. His daughter described him as “thoughtful, creative, and sometimes silly” — a portrait of a man who never lost his sense of wonder or warmth.
Volker is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ulli Arendt; his four children Heike (Edward Cheng), Nicole (Sally Bradfield), Wolfram (Marjorie Arendt), and Beatrix (Sam Speedie); and his grandchildren Catherine, Clara, Carson, Rainer, Rowan, and Ilsa.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Volker’s honor to Grounds for Sculpture: groundsforsculpture.org/join-support/donate.
A Memorial Gathering was held at Kimble Funeral Home, Princeton on June 30, 2026, and the burial is today at Glenwood Cemetery in West Long Branch.