Don Eugene Miller

He was born October 8, 1935, in Iola, KS, to Estle Leroy Miller and Georgia Naomi Nethery. He grew up in Sedan, KS. then attended the Coffeyville Junior College. He then transferred to Kansas University in Lawrence where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Master's degree in Geology. While at KU he met the love of his life, Amy Kipp.

Amy and Don married in Allenspark, CO in 1956 and soon started a family. He began his professional career as a groundwater geologist working for the Kansas Geological Survey, conducting many field surveys in the counties of Eastern and Northern Kansas. In 1967 he was hired by Union Carbide as a Uranium mining geologist and moved the family to Monticello, UT, and later to Dolores, CO. In 1969 he was hired by the Missouri Geological Survey as a groundwater geologist. At MGS, he authored many publications about the ground water resources of Missouri, and testified as an expert witness in the Times Beach hearings about dioxin contamination of the water supply. Upon his retirement from MGS, he and Amy moved to Estes Park where they had spent many summer vacations as a family.

A lifelong mineral and fossil collector, he took a "retirement" job at The Ore Cart, a rock and mineral shop in Estes Park. He enjoyed being the "resident geologist" and meeting visitors from around the world. Don was always interested in the history of the Old West, particularly mining. He excelled at many avocations including watercolor painting of cowboys and western scenes, lost wax casting of belt buckles, and Hopi Kachina carving. Don was a member of the Geological Society of America and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

He is survived by son Gregg E. Miller (Margi) of Loveland, CO, daughters Conni K. St. Pierre (Edward) of Bethel, ME, Cynthia A. Miller of St.Paul, MN, grandchildren Krisanne Miller (Phil Giebel) of Fraser, CO, Matthew Miller (Claire Aitken) of Johns Island, SC. He is predeceased by his beloved Amy (Kipp) on 1/26/23, and daughter Judith Lynn Miller. Jolie Luo and Henry Worang were "adopted" by Amy and Don after they had been caregivers of daughter Judy before she passed away in 2012.

Joint memorial services for Don and Amy will be held July 7th at 11:00 AM in St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Estes Park, CO. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Rocky Mountain Conservancy, or St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, Estes Park, CO. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.allnuttloveland.com for the Miller family.