Robert Miller

Obituary of Robert E. "Bob" Miller

August 1, 1929 – November 28, 2017

Robert Ernest (Bob) Miller, peacefully passed away on Nov. 28th at his home in Scotts Valley, CA. Bob was born on a farm in Kansas and his family relocated to southern Washington to work in the lumber industry. After graduating High School, Bob enlisted in the Navy. He proudly served as an Engineman 3rd Class aboard the USS Boxer Aircraft Carrier during the Korean Conflict. It was during his service that Bob began learning his trade in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. In 1951 Bob married his wife Marilyn (Reilly). After his military service, they moved to Felton and opened Miller's Refrigeration & Appliances and began their family. Bob eventually sold the business and worked as an air-conditioning specialist for Lockheed, Watkins-Johnson and Cal-Air. He was a loyal member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #393. For over four decades Bob was active in the Felton Volunteer Fire Department, serving as a Firefighter, Assistant Chief and Fire Commissioner. He worked on many community projects including the restoration of the Felton Covered Bridge and preserving the history of the Felton XL Lime Kilns. After he retired, Bob and Marilyn relocated to Poker Flat in Copperopolis where they built a beautiful home on Lake Tulloch. Bob continued to be an active community member, initiating many projects, and receiving several awards for his contributions. One of Bob's great joys was driving his 1931 Firetruck or his 1951 Chevy in local parades. Bob and Marilyn moved to Spring Lakes in Scotts Valley in 2007 to be closer to their children: Martha Kaufeldt (& husband Rick Burros), Mike & Sharron Miller, and Bill & Kim Miller. He was a very proud father of his children and grandchildren and loved hearing about their adventures and accomplishments. Bob suffered with Parkinson's Disease for over 27 years. Although he was quite limited in the last few years, his quality of life had been extended with Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in 2003 at Stanford. Bob continued to be an activist by donating his brain to the Parkinson Institute for additional research on this devastating disease. Marilyn, Bob's wife of 65 years, passed away in April. He is survived by his children and their spouses, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his sister. Many thanks go to his wonderful caregivers and Hospice workers. A Celebration of Life "Pancake Breakfast" will be held at 10am on Saturday, Jan. 27th at the Clubhouse at Spring Lakes Mobile Home Park, 225 Mt. Hermon Rd. Scotts Valley. In lieu of flowers, Bob's family requests donations be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County or The Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, CA.

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Saturday
27
January

Memorial Pancake Breakfast

10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday, January 27, 2018
The Clubhouse at Spring Lakes Park, Scotts Valley, CA.
225 Mt. Hermon Road Scotts
Valley, California, United States
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