More detail on this person: Bangor Dailey
News, Bangor Maine, Publish Date: Tuesday,
October 1, 2002
CALAIS - Lt. Col. Ronald A. Miller, U.S. Army
retired, died Sept. 27, 2002, at the Calais
Regional Hospital, after an illness of several
months. Born May 14, 1937, Lt. Col. Miller was the
son of Walter J. Miller and Sadie (Farris) Miller
of Baileyville. Lt. Col. Miller was a graduate of
Woodland High School, Class of 1954. He attended
Kent's Hill and graduated from Bowdoin College,
Class of 1959. An ROTC student, he received the
"General Philoon" trophy for outstanding military
student, being commissioned a 2nd lieutenant upon
graduation. He was assigned to Ft. Benning, Ga.,
where he became an Airborne Ranger. Lt. Col.
Miller entered the Army's flight training program
at Ft. Rucker, Ala., receiving his wings as a
fixed wing pilot in 1962, followed by a duty tour
at Edgewood Arsenal, Md. Following a 13-month
tour of duty in South Korea, and a promotion to
first lieutenant, he received rotary wing training
at Camp Walters, Texas, where he trained on Bell
Ranger helicopters from 1963-1964. Returning
stateside, he was promoted to the rank of captain
and assigned to the Army's Transportation School
at Ft. Eustis, Va., then followed a short tour of
duty at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. from
1964-1966. The Vietnam War called him and in
1966, he was assigned to "Quin Nhon", Republic of
Vietnam for one year. Returning, he and his family
were assigned to Mannheim, Germany, where they
resided at Ben Franklin Village for 18 months, he
then was recalled to Vietnam from 1968-1969. Ft.
Ord, Calif. and Hunter-Liggett Army Airfield were
his next duty stations and the involvement of new
military aircraft testing. Command and General
Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. furthered
his military schooling, and as major he completed
the course between 1971-1972. Returning to
Virginia, he attended the advanced class at the
Army's Transportation School at Ft. Eustis, Va. In
1974-1976, he commanded the Armed Forces
Entrance and Examination Station in Indianapolis,
Ind., where he was promoted to the rank of lt.
col. His 20 years of service ended as commander of
the Army Airfield at Ft. Devens, Mass., 1976-1979,
coming full circle in his career. Upon retirement,
he and his family returned to Calais, close to
their origins of birth. While serving his country,
Lt. Col. Miller was awarded many medals and
awards, amongst them the Bronze Star (3 OLC),
Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (4 OLC), Army
Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry, West Palm Senior Army Aviation Badge
and National Defense Service Medal. After
retirement, he became store manager for Georgia
Pacific for about 14 years. He served his
community as a volunteer at the Ecumenical Food
Pantry and was a member of the St. Croix
Historical Society. Lt. Col. Miller is survived by
his parents, Walter and Sadie Miller; his beloved
wife of 42 years, Joan; two children, son, SFC
Ronald Todd Miller and wife, Sherri (Williams)
Miller of Ft. Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska; and
daughter, Laury Luros and husband, Marc of
Carmel, Ind.; six grandchildren, Shannon Baun and
husband, Scott Baun of Indianapolis, Ind., Madison
Luros and Olivia Luros of Carmel, Ind., Derek,
Evan and Benjamin Miller of Ft. Richardson,
Alaska; one brother, Robert Miller and his wife,
Judy Miller of Baileyville; one niece and five
nephews; a brother-in-law, Edward Hall and wife,
Vienna of Woodstock, N.B., Canada; and his dear
mother-in-law, "Tooie" Hall. He also leaves to
mourn his passing his two loving cats, Skeeter and
Bella. A celebration of his wife will occur 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 4, at the Calais Congregational
Church, Calais Avenue, with the Rev. Diana
Graham, pastor. In lieu of flowers, those wishing
to donate in his memory may do so by sending
donations to the Ecumenical Food Pantry, care of
Irene Chadbourne, PAWS Foundation or Hospice.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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