Hugh C Miller

Hugh Cozier Miller, 87, of Ventura, much loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2011, with his son and daughter at his side. A California native, born March 31, 1924 he spent his early years in Ontario, California where he graduated from Chaffey High School. He subsequently began studying to be a civil engineer and enrolled in the ROTC program at UC Berkeley. After one semester, Hugh left for active service in WWII where he served as a Lieutenant and platoon commander with the 297th Division of the Army Corps of Engineers. His unit landed at Normandy, participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and crossing the Rhine at Remagen while ending the war at Seeburg Castle in eastern Germany. Hugh was twice awarded the Bronze Star.. After the war he completed his education as a civil engineer, graduating in 1948 from UC Berkeley. It was during this time that he met his wife, Jan, who was training to be an elementary school teacher. They married in 1948, settling in Bishop when Hugh was recalled to serve again in the Korean Conflict. Hugh and Jan raised two children, Donna and Ron, and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1998.

Hugh’s life and work touched many people. His career as a civil engineer and general contractor spanned four decades during which he served as a project manager overseeing the construction of many of the main freeways, bridges and a dam in Southern California and the construction of a salt mine in Ohio. Hugh was a long-time active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. In retirement he generously contributed his time and talents to the founding of Project Understanding, a local shelter providing services for homeless families. Together with his wife Jan, he was an ‘adopted’ father and grandfather to many outside his immediate family, including Yoko Ide, Japanese AFS exchange student who lived with the family for a year in the 1960s. He has always been known for an easy-going temperament and good sense of humor, which remained with him throughout his life and helped him through a transition into Assisted Living at Aegis of Ventura in 2009. His friendly and appreciative disposition made him a favorite with the staff.

Hugh will be deeply missed by his sister, Ruth Collings of Escondido; daughter, Donna Miller and husband Philip Woods; son, Ron Miller and his wife Miriam; grandchildren Matthew and his wife Heather, and Corrinn Elford with husband Roger and his first great grandchild, Emily; as well as step grandchildren, Dominic, Joe, and Kieran Woods of England, along with many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 8180 Telephone Rd., Ventura, at 3.00 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to Project Understanding of Ventura.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.