Richard F. “Dick” Miller 88, a lifelong resident of Keene, NH, passed away peacefully with his family at his side, on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at the Cheshire Medical Center / Dartmouth Hitchcock, Keene.
His parents, Charles and Maryann (Bedaw) Miller proudly welcomed their son into the world on September 7, 1929 in Keene, NH. Dick grew up in North Swanzey and attended Hopkins Grade School, and was a 1947 graduate of Keene High School.
Dick was a man of great faith, and with a strong dedication to serving his country, Dick enlisted in the Navy, serving from January, 1948 until January, 1952 onboard the USS Glennon during the Korean War.
Following his military obligations, Dick worked for 36 years with Public Service Company of New Hampshire. Following retirement from Public Service in 1987, he went on to work for 12 years as maintenance man with Prospect Place in Keene.
Dick was very active within his community, serving as a Boy Scout Leader with Troop #16 for many years. He was chairman of the Keene High School Booster Club and was on the Board of Directors and was a longtime member of the Home Builders Association of Southwestern NH. Dick was also a longtime member of the VFW Keene Post #799.
He had a deep, abiding faith, and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Bernard Church in Keene, where he served as an usher and Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship for 25 years, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 819 of St. Bernard Church.
Dick enjoyed camping and was a member of the North American Family Campers Association, and was instrumental with others in the designing, planning and building of the Wheelock Park Campground in Keene. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, and woodworking. However he put his love of family and his church above everything else.
Dick never lost his sense of humor throughout all of his personal challenges. He was a witty storyteller, sharing his childhood experiences and giving others a good laugh. His favorite advice was always “as you wander through life no matter what your goal, keep your eye upon the donut and not upon the hole”.
He will be greatly missed by many, especially his wife of 66 ½ years, Jeanette E. “Jan” (Gagne) Miller of Keene; his daughter, Linda M. Merrill, of Keene; two grandchildren, Stefani Merrill-Wasik and her husband, Brian Wasik, of Franklin, MA, Jessica Miller of Salem, NH; two great-grandchildren, Miller Wasik and Anna Wasik; two sisters, Marlene Miller of Marlborough, NH, Jean Bolewski of Winchester, NH; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, David Miller in 2005; two brothers, Robert Miller and Donald Miller; and a sister, Beverly Lamothe.
A memorial mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 11:00 AM in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene. There are no public calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Miller’s memory to the Tribute Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38105.
