Richard "Rich" Miller

Richard Harold Miller, a loving, caring and devoted husband and father passed away on March 13, 2025, at the age of 81.

He loved his wife, Vera, of 56 years (who he met on a blind date) and his two beautiful sons, Ricky and Christopher, with all his heart.

We will always remember your touch, smile, laugh and unconditional love. The way you carried your special needs son Christopher across the soccer field as he giggled and how his classmates would run and jump into your arms whenever they saw you. How you coached PYSA soccer for your son Ricky. He was so proud of you. The parents admired the way you made sure every kid got a chance to play and miraculously even won a championship trophy in 1988. Even thirty years later they would run into him at a store and yell "Hi, coach, how you doing?" They were so glad to see him. Always so caring. Ricky described his dad as someone who had an abundance of selfless love. No matter how busy he was, his family was the center of his universe. He never forgot a special occasion, bringing home thoughtful gifts with a big balloon and big bouquet of flowers for his wife, who cherished him and the life they shared.

Born in Port Washington on Long Island, New York, Rich attended Farmingdale State College  and then on to the University of Georgia where he received his degree in Landscape Architecture and went on to work for the Department of the Navy as the landscape architect in charge of the eastern seaboard. None the less, he was drafted and sent to Vietnam where he served under Col. David Hackworth as the cartographer (for which they told him he saved many lives), sniper security, and a boots on the ground soldier. He was awarded 3 Bronze Stars. Every year he attended a reunion of A Band of Brothers, all of whom served under Col. David Hackworth.

Rich was a big Georgia Bulldogs fan and whenever there was a game on, he could be heard rooting and cheering for his team all the way down the street. He loved their mascot, Uga, whose picture hangs over his desk.

He was an avid gardener, especially of irises and daylilies, even serving as president of the Dallas Iris Society. He was a judge in the society for 15 years and recently became a Master Judge. He loved planting and caring for the many beautiful irises, visiting iris gardens, pointing out their glorious colors and could spend hours looking at the catalogs. And he certainly enjoyed all the dear friendships he developed through the years.

Rich laughed easily and had a great sense of humor. He loved talking to people. He never met a stranger. He would share stories about wrestling the biggest guy on team in high school, knowing he could never win, and the silly pranks his friends would pull on each other in college. He liked to tell them about the boys’ soccer team and how wonderful the kids were, ushering in church for 20 years, moving here and being the Yankee who won the chili cook off. He would always ask people what sport they played, where they went to school, and if they were young, what their ambitions were. He was always interested in them. He was warm, kind, compassionate and thoughtful man beyond measure.

Rich will be deeply missed by his family and friends, but his memory and love will live on.

Rich is survived by his loving wife, Vera, and his adoring son, Ricky. His sister, Linda, along with her children, Jerry, Bobby, Jimmy, Danny and Tricia, his sister­ in-law Marie and her husband Ed, and niece Candice and her husband Buoy and nephew Frank and his wife, Amy, and their children Audrey and Kyle. Rich was preceded in death by his son Christopher, and his parents Lillian and Harold Miller.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with The Rev. Bruce Bradley officiating.  If you wish to join the mass via webcast, please visit: https://youtube.com/live/xNqQmNg3XUg?feature=share

There will be a reception immediately following the mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Rich's memory to: A Band of Brothers, Inc., 4675 Meadowview Dr., NW, Canton, Ohio  44718