Leslie James Miller

Leslie “Les” James Miller was born August 3, 1944 in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England. He died peacefully in his sleep at home in Arlington Heights the night of August 23. His parents were Nelson R. Miller, an American G.I. from Montana, and Gladys G.M. Fish, a British member of the Land Army.

He earned degrees from the University of Montana, The University of Wisconsin, and the University of Iowa College of Law. After a long career as Division Counsel in the Corporate Law department of the American Medical Association, he retired at 60. Within days, he joined Community Bible Study and Roosevelt University’s Institute for Continued Learning, and volunteered as legal counsel to the Foundation for Children in Need. He continued to enjoy these commitments for the rest of his life, along with leadership in Christian Family Movement and bible studies at Our Lady of the Wayside Parish.

He will be remembered for his study groups, mostly on legal issues and history, at Roosevelt; for his perceptive commentaries as Spiritual Advisor to CFM, and for his concentration at the bridge table.

His family will treasure memories of his culinary concoctions, expansive knowledge, solid integrity, and bad puns.

He is survived by Kathleen (née Darga) his wife of nearly 56 years; his son Nathan; his daughter Karen Elaine Laura (Kel) Szydagis, who is married to Matthew; and grandchildren Ella, Aria, Max, and Ivy Szydagis. He is also survived by his sister Susan (Leroy) Berven and brother Raymond Miller (Ann Romeo). He was predeceased by his parents, and sister Muriel Davis.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 Saturday, August 30, at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, Arlington Heights, with visitation beginning at 9:30. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an organization that you have supported along with Les.