Robert Laird Miller

Robert Laird Miller was born 21 Jan 1930 to Robert Frank Miller (1891-1981) and Cora Catherine Laird (1899-1991) in Topeka, Kansas.

Robert started working at the early age of 11 by digging potatoes in the field by the airport in Topeka. He then worked at a grocery store delivering groceries and at 14 moving furniture at Kansas Van and Storage. At 18 he went to work at Kansas Power and Light as the result of a reference from Harry Samuel Perkins, father of his future wife Shirley Ann. This led to a lifelong occupation as a lineman and working in the electrical field. He was a lifelong member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

He served in the Army from 1951-1953.

He married Shirley Ann Perkins, daughter of Harry Samuel Perkins (1901-1977) and Elsie Lee Snow (1903-1996) on the 23rd of July 1950 at the North Topeka Baptist Church. As a result of this marriage he is survived by his two children, Denise Adele Miller and Monte Leigh Miller (wife Cheryl), and his four grandchildren, Jennifer Ann Murphy Cook (Hayward), Janna Leigh Franks, Carson Leigh Miller and Alexis Marie Miller. He was able to enjoy watching his great granddaughters Nina, Maya, and Grace Murphy-Cook grow to young women.

After a divorce with Shirley he married Betty Ann Penwell 6 June 1959. They moved to Riverside, CA where he worked for Southern California Edison. Their divorce in 1970 resulted in Robert traveling the country working as a contract lineman until settling in Caro, Michigan when he met Marguerite “Marge” Baker. After they married 18 Oct 1973, they traveled the country while he continued his work as a lineman. They finally settled in Phoenix, AZ when he was hired by Arizona Public Service (APS) as a lineman in 1980.

On 24 Jun 1981 he had a serious accident while working in a substation. He lost his arms as a result of a 7,200 volt contact. He decided that he was too young to retire even with such a disability he went back to work for APS a year after his accident. He was afraid that he would have to be stuck in the office after working outside all his life. He gave safety seminars for APS employees before his assignment to foreman in the Cable Replacement program. When his wife Marguerite, died 14 May 1995, he continued working until his retirement in 1996 from APS.

After retirement he moved to California to live with his first wife and mother of his children, Shirley. They traveled the country in their motorhome. He joined the Good Sam’s Happy Hobos and Escapees Camping Clubs. He served as President of the Happy Hobos.

They lived together in Roseville and traveled in the motorhome until Shirley passed in Feb. 2016. He then moved in with his Daughter, Denise, in Roseville. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on 31 May 2020, at the age of 90.

His life was not defined by the loss of his arms but by his incredible work ethic. It was truly amazing how much he could do with his hooks. He not only drove his motorhome all over the country but did all the set up himself. During his rehabilitation they taught him how to use his hooks. When they tried to teach him how to cook, he replied that he never cooked before and will not learn now. He knew how to go to a restaurant and order food.

Remembrances can be made to his favorite charities, Dogs for the Deaf and Disabled American Veterans.

Robert will be laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery in the Village of Elkton, Michigan, next to his wife Marge.