Richard Miller

Richard “Dick” Miller
Nov. 1929 - Jan. 2024

Richard C. (Dick) Miller was born on November 2, 1929, in New York, New York to his parents
Carl and Cecilia Miller. Typically known as Dick, he graduated from Richmond Hill, NY High
School in 1946 and shortly thereafter joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). He
attended Rochester University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Philosophy. This was the
same year he married his loving wife of 73 years, Margaret (Marge). They soon had their first
child, Michael, while stationed at the Marine Corps’ Camp Leeune in North Carolina. Dick
proudly served in the U.S. Marines being deployed in Korea where he earned the Korean
Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Dick
was honorably discharged in 1953 at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and went back to Rochester
University, graduating with his second undergraduate degree, in Mechanical Engineering. While
at Rochester, his family grew, with daughter Helene, and son Girard. Dick and Marge embraced
a large family, welcoming their fourth child, son Carl and daughter.
Dick worked a Systems Engineer in the defense industry for much of his career, working at firms
such as MITs' Lincoln Laboratory, RCA, Raytheon and General Electric. While at Raytheon, for
example, he played an important role in the U.S. Army's SAM-D (Surface-to-Air Missile,
Development) program, renamed the Patriot Air Defense Missile System shortly after its
successful launch. His aptitude for computer programming translated to excellence at Bridge,
having earned Master-points for success in numerous competitive bridge tournaments and often
hosting duplicate bridge nights at their home in Massachusetts.
While raising his family, he enjoyed ski trips, weekends with friends at a lake house, and
entertaining. Dick was a highly skilled tennis player, an avid coin and stamp collector and
staunch supporter of the environment. His sense of service did not end with his discharge from
the Marines. Most notably he volunteered with the Red Cross and gave to many charitable
organizations. In his retirement, he and Marge enjoyed tennis, time with their children,
grandchildren and great grandchildren, traveling, and spending quiet time together. He was
rarely seen without his crossword puzzles which he continued to enjoy completing well into his
90’s.
He was not a boastful or showy man, never mean spirited. He had a reserved nature, but when
at ease enjoying good food, drink, and company, he would break out into a broad smile with a
twinkle in his eyes and a deep belly laugh. These occasions are when you’d typically see his
good-natured, gregarious side emerge. While often a man of few words, he meant what he said
- you knew he was a man who would never let you down.
A resolute and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, he was described by
those who knew him as intelligent, hard-working, loyal, generous and devoted. Dick passed
away peacefully in his sleep and is survived by his wife, Marge; his children, Michael, Girard,
Carl and Judy; 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his
daughter Helene.
He will be missed by all those who knew him.
Semper Fidelis ~ “Always Faithful”