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Brigadier General
Hans J. Mueh
Permanent Professor 1987–2004
Vice Dean of the Faculty 2002–2004
B.S., United States Air Force Academy
M.S., University of Wisconsin
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Hans Mueh, the Academy’s 51st Permanent Professor, was born in 1944, in Celle, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1951. He graduated with the Air Force Academy’s eighth class, 1966, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and distinction as a record-holding soccer goalie. After completing training at Lowry AFB, CO, he served as an Intelligence Officer during three separate periods: at Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley AFB, VA, 1967–1969; in Saigon, Vietnam, and at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, 1972–1973; and later as the Special Assistant for Technical Matters at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon, Washington, DC, 1985–1986. Interspersed with these assignments was his graduate work in Chemistry at Wisconsin: 1969–1970 for his Master’s degree, and 1973–1976 for his PhD. His Academy faculty duty began in 1970 with a two-year tour as an Instructor of Chemistry. Returning in 1977 Hans was soon selected as Tenure Associate Professor before leaving for his DIA assignment in 1985. He returned to the Academy in 1986 as Acting Department Head, and in 1987 was named Permanent Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry. During his time on the faculty, Hans was also Vice Dean of the Faculty, 2002–2004. Ever the athlete, Hans competed in golf, racquetball, handball, and tennis, and promoted Air Force Academy intercollegiate sports throughout his tenure, beginning with work as chairman of the Hockey Eligibility Committee, golf team Officer Representative, football team Officer Representative, and Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA. Hans was promoted to brigadier general and retired from active duty in 2004 in order to accept the position of Air Force Academy Athletic Director.
As the Director of Athletics, Hans led that department’s team of 300 people, 27 Division I intercollegiate athletic programs, physical education, physical fitness testing, intramural competition, and the management of a huge complex of indoor and outdoor athletic venues. During his time as AD, Hans sat on the board of the Amateurism Cabinet of the NCAA for seven years after a two-year stint on the NCAA Golf Committee. He was also a member of the Joint Council of the Mountain West Conference. Hans retired as AD in 2015. Beyond his official duties, Hans is a strong leader in the local community. He has served on the Science Advisory Board of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education, and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation; he is currently Board Member and Secretary of the Colorado Springs Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.