Gary Muehlberger (1945–2021): Life and Legacy of Port Protection’s Beloved Fisherman

By gerrardhayley June 6, 2025 Life Below Zero: Port Protection, TV Personality 0 Comments

Gary Muehlberger (1945–2021) was a cherished figure in the remote Alaskan community of Port Protection and a standout personality on the National Geographic reality series Life Below Zero: Port Protection. Born on December 15, 1945, in Washington, USA, he lived a life rooted in independence, resilience, and hard-won wisdom. Over the course of more than four decades, Gary became a mentor to many, known for his deep survival knowledge and his commitment to the self-reliant values that define frontier life. Neighbors affectionately called him “The Village Elder”—a title earned through action, humility, and years of experience living off the land.

By 2015, Gary’s reputation as a seasoned fisherman and community pillar was firmly established. In a place where survival depends on skill, patience, and neighborly trust, he exemplified the very traits that held Port Protection together. Whether on land or sea, Gary moved with the confidence of someone who understood the rhythms of nature and the quiet strength needed to live in harmony with it.

Gary believed in doing things the old-fashioned way, and nothing symbolized that better than his boat—the Margaret T, a vessel built in 1919. Timeworn but dependable, it had weathered countless storms and served Gary faithfully across Alaska’s treacherous waters. “When they’re old like that, they’ve already proved themselves,” he once said, proud of the boat that mirrored his own resilience.

Gary’s life was dedicated to subsistence living. He was often seen accompanied by his loyal dog, Trapper, and navigating the waters in his century-old fishing boat. But his role in the community extended far beyond hauling in king salmon. He provided fish not only for his own sustenance but to share with neighbors, reinforcing the small-town ethic that defines Port Protection. “Hey Jack, I got a fish for you,” he once said at Jack’s Trading Post, offering his first catch of the day for the crew. That simple gesture spoke volumes about his generosity and deep-rooted sense of community.

In the show, Gary was frequently shown preparing for his next catch with a patient, methodical approach. Whether it was shrimping or salmon fishing, he embodied the spirit of Port Protection—making the most out of nature’s offerings through perseverance and preparation. “It’s always to a person’s advantage to check things out ahead of time,” he said while inspecting his shrimp pots, showcasing his meticulous and thoughtful nature.

His daily routines were guided not by convenience but by experience. Whether observing diving ducks to find salmon or waiting patiently for a bite, Gary knew nature’s rhythms intimately. He respected the competition too—even when it came from orcas. “He’s the competitor,” Gary said, watching killer whales hunt in the same waters. “The orca is a way better fisherman than me.”

Gary’s Voice and Philosophy
In his own words and actions, Gary emphasized the value of preparedness, humility, and humor. In one episode, as he readied his gear for a shrimping trip, he acknowledged, “I’m not as confident going after the shrimp as I am king salmon fishing… but I’m not afraid to try.” That mindset—unafraid of uncertainty, guided by experience—was core to who he was. And with his trademark dry wit, he closed the scene with a chuckle: “It sure is a nice day for beer drinking though.”

Gary also believed deeply in community. “The community here takes care of each other,” he once reflected. “My mom always taught me to share with people, that it makes you feel good.” He didn’t just share his catch—he shared his time, his presence, and his wisdom. To friends like Curly Leach, Gary was a steadfast companion. “Without Curly as my friend, I don’t know if I’d still be here,” he once admitted. “We look out for each other.”

By early 2016, Gary Muehlberger’s resilience and traditional know-how were on full display in a memorable moment of his life in Port Protection. He faced a critical delay in his winter meat supply and ventured deep into the wilderness on a solo deer hunt. When his ATV broke down miles from home, Gary relied on his lifelong instincts and simply said, “I guess I’ll just go back to old school.” He eventually harvested a doe and carried it out on his back using a toggle-pack method taught to him by his brother. Reflecting on the feat, Gary said with pride, “I could shoot a deer, put it on my back, go through the woods, bring it back home… I’m 70 years old and I still could put that deer on my back and pack it.” It was a scene that perfectly captured his enduring grit and no-nonsense approach to life in Port Protection.

This moment in early 2016 was just one example of what longtime residents and viewers had already come to recognize by 2015—Gary’s deep imprint on the community and his unmatched knowledge of the natural world. Whether tracking diving ducks to locate salmon, reading subtle weather shifts, or simply sensing the right time to act, Gary moved through life with quiet precision. He was never in a rush, never careless. He observed, absorbed, and always paid it forward.

Tragically, on March 17, 2021, Gary’s home was destroyed by a fire. The Alaska State Medical Examiner later confirmed that Gary died in the blaze, which was ruled accidental. It is believed the fire may have started while he was working on his propane hot water tank. Despite the devastation, his dog Trapper survived and was reported to be safe and cared for.

Gary’s passing deeply affected the Port Protection community and fans worldwide. On March 24, 2021, the Life Below Zero team paid tribute to him in a heartfelt Facebook post: “He was the heart and soul of Port Protection and a valuable member of our family. Gary was one of a kind and we will miss him dearly.”

Tribute to Gary Muehlberger: The Last of the Old Breed

In the tight-knit, off-grid village of Port Protection, Alaska, the loss of Gary Muehlberger left a void too deep for words. A man of grit, humor, and endless knowledge, Gary was one of the last of a generation that truly lived by the “seat of their pants.” As Sam Carlson said, “All he needed was a rifle and a blue tarp, and he was good to go.” That spirit — self-reliant, humble, and deeply woven into the fabric of the land — was Gary through and through.

It was after the fire, a tragic event that took his life and home, that his absence became more real. Sam returned to Gary’s side of the bay and shared:

“I haven’t been over on this side of the bay since the fire… been kind of missing him… normally he calls up and razes my wife about how better his tomatoes are doing than ours.”

Even through the pain, there was fondness and laughter—hallmarks of Gary’s presence.

Curly Leach, another close friend in the community, expressed the sense of personal loss simply:

“He had a heart of gold… and I sure do miss him.”

Gary wasn’t just a character — he was a cornerstone. Sam Carlson emphasized this again:

“Probably one of the last of the old breed.”

His knowledge wasn’t just admired — it was needed. It lives on in the hands and hearts of the younger generation, who are now stepping up with muddy boots and calloused hands. As Mary Miller put it:

“The best way to carry on Gary’s legacy is to keep passing on his knowledge… Share it with the new folks.”

Gary was also the reason the community fireboat was built — a vessel that now feels like a tribute in itself. As Sam Carlson reflected:

“We built our community building and the fire hall just for this boat… The last time we used the fireboat was during Gary’s fire.”

Port Protection has always demanded strength, but it’s a strength rooted in each other — in elders like Gary, who made the hard life not just livable, but meaningful. The community, as seen in the episode, is now tasked with “rising up and rebuilding.”

And while Gary may be gone from the bay, his spirit drifts along every tide and echo in the trees. As one old fisherman mused: