Robert E. Miller, age 92, longtime resident of Brainerd, passed away on Nov. 21, 2012, at Woodland Good Samaritan in Brainerd.
Robert was born on May 28, 1920, in St. Cloud, the youngest child of Frank and Abbie Miller. He attended country school and graduated from St. Cloud Tech in 1938. He then graduated from St. Cloud State Teachers College in 1942, with his BA in industrial arts and physical education, and where he also participated in football, basketball and track.
Bob started his teaching career in Brainerd in the fall of 1942, and then entered the Army in November ’42. His first assignment was spent training recruits at Camp Roberts, Calif. He was then sent to the South Pacific as master sergeant of the 223rd Field Artillery Battalion where he remained until after the war ended. He received his honorable discharge in 1946.
He returned to Franklin Junior High in the fall of ’46 and then moved to Washington High School to teach industrial arts, and where he also coached for 25 years.
Bob was a Legionville Camp Director for 25 years and spent the next 35 years on the Legionville Board. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post 255 as past commander, and in 1979 he was appointed to the Brainerd Police and Fire Civil Service Commission and served until very recently. He was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association.
Bob was a teacher in Brainerd ISD 181 and took an active role as a coach and sports booster. He is a member of the St. Cloud State Athletic Hall of Fame and the Brainerd High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 62 years, Alma; sons, Jerry (Kate) of Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada, Chuck (Kathy) of Grand Rapids; daughter, Jean (Greg Samuelson) of Minneapolis; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, special niece and nephew, Don and Nealna Gylling; nephew, Curt (Julie) Evert; and many former athletes and students.
Visitation on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, from 4-7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church and also one hour prior to the service at church. Funeral service on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd.
Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, the Legionville Building Fund or the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation.
