The Ward C. Muller and Associates land surveying company has been a mainstay in Kitsap County for 50 years. Started in 1955 by Ward Muller in Bremerton, the company has been located in Port Orchard for 30 years.

Although Muller retired in 2001, his son, Reed Muller, has continued using the extensive knowledge the company has about the area to help customers. Reed Muller started working for his father out of high school, in 1964, “at the bottom” as a chainman outside, after having worked part-time during the summer since age 13. In 1967, he learned enough about the business to move into the office part of the time, doing calculations. He continued to learn and move up in ranks, until in 1993 he received his surveying license and since then, his stamp has adorned most of the surveys.

“It was a logical progression for me,” said Muller, who studied engineering and math in high school with the thought about joining his father's firm. “You either like the work or you don't - there is no in-between.”

Now at the helm of the company, Muller likes to keep hands-on, and can often be seen in the field doing the physical survey work. Here, too, he continues the tradition of his father, who worked in the field as well as in the office for 30 years. With the vast knowledge of boundary lines and history of Kitsap, Ward C. Muller and Associates keeps competitive in a field of 20-plus other local companies by continuing to build on the reputation Ward Muller established.

“We find the work we have done over the years… allows us to have a better understanding of the past,” Reed Muller said.

The company serves a mix of residential and commercial customers in Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson counties.

For Muller, following history is the best part. Because the work often involves reviewing deeds, it requires research of records dating as far back as 1866. Muller likes to “look at history and follow other people's footsteps.”

When Muller first started with the company in the mid-60s, the technology was undergoing a change. The tools evolved from a transit and chain to an electronic measuring device. “That was quite a leap in technology at that time - that and the handheld calculator that had a sign and cosign,” Muller said. These days, the tools include a total station device that measures distance through optics and has a data collector, as well as a GPS (geographic positioning system) device for many jobs. Some projects use computer CAD software as well.

“Every job is different,” Muller said. “Every job has its own set of challenges.”.