Services Planned To Remember Long Valley Doctor Killed In Pedestrian Accident

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A celebration of life and funeral mass are planned at Long Valley’s St. Luke Parish on Thursday and Friday, in memory of Dr. Christopher Muenzen.

Muenzen, 66, died suddenly in Helena, Montana on Sept. 21, according to his obituary.

He was working after retirement in an “interim position at a V.A. hospital out west,” his obituary stated, with KTVH reporting that Muenzen was hit and killed by a driver backing his pickup truck from a parking spot in Helena, who apparently didn’t see Muenzen.

Muenzen, KTVH reported, was employed at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center, at the time of his death.

Lewis and Clark Sheriff-Coroner Leo Dutton told news outlets in that area that Muenzen’s death was attributed to “multiple blunt forces injuries, the manner is accident.”

KTVH has not reported on the name of the 36-year-old driver who struck Muenzen or if an investigation is pending, but stated the Helena Police said it didn’t “appear that alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident.”

Muenzen was born in 1955, grew up in Rahway and was a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. He is a Cornell University graduate with a Master’s from Yale University, having studied medicine at New Jersey’s University of Medicine and Dentistry.

While he did his residency in Washington D.C., Muenzen came back to New Jersey to start his practice in Long Valley, which he had for more than three decades, his obituary noted.

“Well-regarded as an expert diagnostician, his care plans were known for their unadorned but discerning orders and advice,” Muenzen’s obituary read.

In Long Valley, Hunterdon Healthcare - Muenzen’s practice on 59 East Mill Road - changed its name in January 2021 to Hunterdon Medical Associates, with a news release following in February stating that Muenzen planned to stay on as a provider.

Muenzen leaves behind his wife Diane, their four children, his grandson and his extended family, including eight siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws, among his loved ones.

The Celebration of Life for Muenzen is planned between 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at St. Luke Parish on 265 West Mill Road, with a funeral mass on Friday Oct. 1, starting at 10 a.m. Masks are required for services and “in the spirit of Dr. Chris, the Muenzen family strongly encourages those entering the church be vaccinated,” according to his obituary.

His family has requested donations in his memory be made to the Long Valley First Aid Squad at www.lvfas.org.

See Muenzen’s full obituary here.

Read more here from KTVH.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.