- Date Of Death: October 1, 2022
- State: Michigan
Richard L. “Dick” Miller died at his home in Rapid River on October 1st. He was 87. Born in Escanaba in 1934, he grew up in Rapid River, moved away for school and experienced a great life as a Navy and airline pilot that took him around the world, until he ended up back in Rapid River.
He is survived by his sons Peter and Michael, partner Barbara, sister Mary, nieces and nephews JoJean, Jon, Joanne, Jim, Jeff and Jessica. He was predeceased by his brother John T. Miller and wives Elizabeth(Liz) and Rosemarie (Rosie).
He lived an adventurous life. After leaving for St. Norbert’s in DePere, WI in 1949, he graduated and promptly threw his Latin books in the river, ending his least favorite subject. He then graduated from St. Thomas University in St. Paul, MN. He joined the US Navy and became a pilot, training in Pensacola, FL, where he later would spend the winters.
His Navy adventures included flying in Alaska along the border with the Soviet Union, hunting submarines, and a flight under the Golden Gate Bridge. He married Elizabeth and had two sons, Peter and Michael, and were living in Martinez, CA when he was hired by Pan American World Airways in 1966. He flew Boeing 707s on Pacific routes before transfering to West Berlin, Germany in 1971. There he flew Pan Am’s routes across Europe. He coached little league baseball for many years, took the family skiing, and explored the world with the family in tow.
After a divorce, he married Rosemarie in Berlin and continued to travel the world, and living in Germany, Pensacola, FL and Rapid River.
Dick’s friends and family will miss his kind, generous and humble nature, and his loving heart.
