Richard D. Miller

Richard D. Miller, 89 years old, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2018, at his home in Grants Pass, Oregon.

He was born on March 22, 1929 to Richard R. Miller and Margaret M. Miller in Wilmington, California. He graduated from Gold Hill High School in 1947 and he later enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) and served as a Radioman. During this time, Richard deployed to Korea where he completed a tour of duty during the Korean War. Upon being honorably discharged from the USAF, Richard attended Southern Oregon College and earned his Master’s Degree in Education. Richard started his teaching career at Lincoln Elementary School in Grants Pass, he served as the Curriculum Director for the Josephine County School District, and later became Principal of Jerome Prairie Elementary School where he would eventually retire as one of the school’s most beloved Principals. It was at Lincoln Elementary School, however, where he met the love of his life, Teresa J. Zottola, a sixth grade teacher. They were married on July 28th, 1957 and started their family in a house beside the Rogue River.

Richard was an avid fisherman and spent some of his spare time fishing the Rogue, Illinois, Klamath, Umpqua and Applegate rivers, as well as Fish Lake, Howard Prairie Lake, Selma Lake and the Pacific Ocean from the Oregon Coast up to the Queen Charlotte Islands. He was always on the hunt for the next great fish fight and subsequent story, of which he had many and was happy to share and embellish as the years went on. When he was not fishing, Richard spent his time racing from work to watch, support and coach his children and grandchildren at dance competitions; swim meets; football, baseball and softball games; band concerts; basketball and volleyball games; cycling; school plays; and track meets all over Oregon, Washington, California and New England. Richard’s retirement years were spent traveling with Teresa as they explored and fished their way across the United States and Canada.

He was a staunch believer in working hard, playing hard, and living life to its fullest, and he did just that every day of his 89 years. If asked, Richard would tell you that he and Teresa’s greatest accomplishment was their family. Together, next to the Rogue River, they raised two sons and three daughters who proudly carry on the strong family structure and commitment that was so important to him, and that he so proudly and regularly talked about. Richard was a proud veteran and patriot who loved this great country. He was a man of integrity, compassion and great faith, and he will be missed dearly by his family and friends.

Richard is survived by his wife Teresa; his five children and their spouses Mary and David VanHoomissen, Richard and Mary Kay Miller, Sally Miller and Hanna Vaandering, Thomas and Gail Miller, and Teresa and fianc Robert Scacco; and his 11 grandchildren Kristen VanHoomissen, Joseph VanHoomissen and fianc Kendel Kuhn, Patrick Miller, Ryan Miller, Casey Miller, Annie Miller, Erin Miller, Tyler Scacco and fianc Ashley Olson and Travis Scacco.

Services will be held at 12:00pm on August 9th at St Anne’s Church in Grants Pass. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project or the Asante Hospice Foundation.