Robert M. Miller ("Bob"), 90, of Traverse City passed away on September 28, 2012, at Traverse Manor surrounded by his loving family.
Bob was born on December 26, 1921, in Findlay, Ohio to the late Dr. (Charles) Merlin and Vera (Miley) Miller. He had one adopted sister, Mary Jean Miller. On July 23, 1949, he married Carmen G. Sundwick in Detroit, and they had three children. Together they have shared 63 years of marriage.
Bob was a 1939 graduate of Findlay High School after which he attended Findlay College for one year, transferred to Ohio State University, and graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration/Accounting.
Bob faithfully served our country in the United States Army during World War II from 1943-46. Stationed in Pearl Harbor, he was selected to be part of joint Army/Navy intelligence operations in the Pacific. As a cryptographic technician, his intelligence work involved decoding and encoding classified messages intercepted from the Japanese. Upon honorable discharge, he returned to his studies at Ohio State University.
After graduation, Bob moved to Detroit where he had accepted a position as auditor with Lybrand, Ross Brothers & Montgomery, and was licensed as a CPA. He began working for Sperry Corporation Vickers Division in 1957 as Manager of Internal Auditing. Part of his work involved travel throughout Europe, Great Britain, South America, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, overseeing and finalizing internal audits of company plants. Bob retired in 1983 after serving as Director of Internal Auditing for Sperry Corporation. He was an active member of numerous professional organizations including the Michigan Association of CPAs, Institute of Internal Auditors-Detroit Chapter, American Institute of CPAs and National Association of Cost Accountants.
Inspired by Dr. Henry Hitt Crane at Central Methodist Church-Detroit following World War II, Bob had a life-long commitment to service and awareness of social issues. This was expressed in his dedication to a variety of organizations including the Vestry and Finance Committees at Central Methodist Church-Detroit and Grace Episcopal Church (Traverse City); Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) - Traverse City; and the Financial Committee of Child Guidance Center of Northwestern Michigan. He logged many hours at the Food Pantry of Grace Episcopal Church; was a founding member of Veterans for Peace-Traverse City; and was active with the Episcopalian Peace Fellowship-Grace Church. Many newspaper editors, U.S. Congressmen and Presidents received Bob's letters expressing his concerns and urging action on issues ranging from nuclear proliferation and missile defense to mental health funding, hunger and poverty. He financially supported many organizations that reflected his concerns.
In his youth, Bob began studying life through the lens of a camera. His various jobs, including his boyhood paper route for the Saturday Evening Post and working at Johnson's Drug Store as a "soda jerk," allowed him to buy cameras, film and equipment. Bob belonged to camera clubs wherever he was–at Findlay High School, in Hawaii during his military service, in the Detroit area (as a member of the Photographic Guild of America) and in Traverse City. He created his own darkrooms and enjoyed developing his own black and white photographs. He had a great love of nature and scenic photography, and won several awards for composition and the artistic quality of his work. He always carried his camera wherever he went.
Bob also filled his life with music – he was thrilled by the sounds of symphony orchestras and organs whether in the seat of his sports car, a concert hall, a church pew or his favorite armchair. Bob enjoyed travelling with his wife throughout Europe, England, Ireland, Canada and the United States, and in his retirement years enjoyed several Elderhostel programs. He was an avid bicyclist and enjoyed bike trips in the Midwest with his son.
In his later years, Bob dealt with a degenerative neurological condition with strength, perseverance and acceptance. His entire life was lived by his values of honesty, integrity and commitment.
Bob orchestrated a full life for his family, and left them with the gift of his life-long daily diaries. Bob was a patient and devoted husband and father. He had a quiet but attentive presence, and will be greatly missed for his dry sense of humor and crazy songs, his conversations and stories, his sweet tooth and sweet demeanor.
Bob is survived by his wife Carmen, son Charles Miller of Traverse City, daughter Charlotte Miller of Lansing, and daughter Martha (Bradley) Miller Cornell of Naples, FL, grandson Nathaniel and granddaughter Caroline Cornell. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and sister.
Bob's family gives special thanks to the staff of Traverse Manor and Comfort Keepers who provided great help to Bob in his final years with caring and compassion, and to Hospice of Michigan who honored Bob with dignity and respect in his final week of life.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City at 2:00 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Bob may be directed to: Grace Episcopal Church Food Pantry, 341 Washington, Traverse City 49684; or Hospice of Michigan, 400 Mack Avenue, Detroit 48201.
The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To share your thoughts and memories with the family, please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .