Retired Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Miller, age 79, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2021, after a brief illness, with Louise at his side.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 53 years, Louise Adams Miller, his three daughters, Ursula Melhuish (Nicolas), Louisville, Laura Miller (Apoo Koticha), San Diego, and Colleen Karis (Matthew), Los Angeles, three grandchildren, Adam Barnett Melhuish, Owen Nicolas Melhuish, and William Miller Karis, and two step-grandchildren, Zubin Singh Koticha and Rubahn Singh Koticha.
Bruce was born in 1941 in Boston, MA, to Bonnie Phinney Miller and Hugh Miller. Bruce was raised in a Navy family; his father served as a Lieutenant Commander. In 1959, Bruce, a football player, graduated from Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach, VA.
Bruce attended Elon College, NC. In 1963, he enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Germany and was selected for Officer Candidate School in the Signal Corps. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1966. Two days later, he met Louise while on orders for additional Signal Corps Training in preparation for his first tour of Vietnam. Later, they communicated through letters and their friendship deepened into true love. Bruce & Louise were married on February 17, 1968, in Ft. Benjamin, Harrison, IN.
Bruce always wanted a family and his desire was to be the best husband and father. The Army took them to Heidelberg, Germany, where Ursula was born. Laura was born in Johnstown, PA, and Colleen was born at the US Army Hospital in Fort Mead, Maryland.
Later, Bruce finished his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, and, while stationed at Ft. Knox, he earned a Master's in Public Administration from Western KY University. He then served as a Professor of Military Science at Morehead State University.
He served twenty-two years in the Army, including two combat tours in Vietnam. Bruce's total foreign service exceeded twelve years. He had a branch transfer to Armor. In the Army, Bruce was Airborne-qualified, an Army Ranger, and served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment ("Blackhorse"). "Duty First" and "Fit to Fight" were his mottos.
After 9/11, he felt the call of duty again. For thirteen years, he worked in the Military Sealift Command, eventually serving as the Ship's Communications Officer of the MSC ships (USNS Kiska, USNS Niagara Falls, USNS Guadalupe, and USNS Charles Drew). He supplied Navy ships and military installations in time of combat and provided aid in peacekeeping missions.
His country recognized his patriotism time and again, through various decorations and awards, including a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam in combat and Bronze Star for his ROTC service with three Oak Leaf Clusters, a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, a Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism, and a Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bruce had many passionate hobbies, including scuba diving, collecting Lionel trains, and collecting W Britain lead toy soldiers. He ran two Marine Corps marathons, each in under three hours. He was an avid reader and loved sharing his books. While his daughters were at the University of Kentucky, Bruce and Louise became diehard UK fans and made lifelong friends tailgating. Bruce was happiest when surrounded by others and loved his benefit of traveling "Space A" to worldwide destinations.
He had a knack for learning languages. Bruce could light up the room with his great smile and beautiful blue eyes. He loved to meet new people and always made everyone feel special. Bruce was a loving, caring, and devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather.
A soldier and a sailor, he brought a new meaning to the words, "Let's roll."
The family would like to give a special thanks to the amazing nurses and doctors in the ICU at Norton Women's and Children's Hospital.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 25th, from 4-8 pm at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 26th, at 10am at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. 5th Street. Internment will take place at a later date.
Photo taken at St. Mihiel American Cemetery, France in September of 2016.
Published by Courier-Journal from Aug. 23 to Aug. 24, 2021.
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©2021 Legacy.com All rights reserved.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 53 years, Louise Adams Miller, his three daughters, Ursula Melhuish (Nicolas), Louisville, Laura Miller (Apoo Koticha), San Diego, and Colleen Karis (Matthew), Los Angeles, three grandchildren, Adam Barnett Melhuish, Owen Nicolas Melhuish, and William Miller Karis, and two step-grandchildren, Zubin Singh Koticha and Rubahn Singh Koticha.
Bruce was born in 1941 in Boston, MA, to Bonnie Phinney Miller and Hugh Miller. Bruce was raised in a Navy family; his father served as a Lieutenant Commander. In 1959, Bruce, a football player, graduated from Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach, VA.
Bruce attended Elon College, NC. In 1963, he enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Germany and was selected for Officer Candidate School in the Signal Corps. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1966. Two days later, he met Louise while on orders for additional Signal Corps Training in preparation for his first tour of Vietnam. Later, they communicated through letters and their friendship deepened into true love. Bruce & Louise were married on February 17, 1968, in Ft. Benjamin, Harrison, IN.
Bruce always wanted a family and his desire was to be the best husband and father. The Army took them to Heidelberg, Germany, where Ursula was born. Laura was born in Johnstown, PA, and Colleen was born at the US Army Hospital in Fort Mead, Maryland.
Later, Bruce finished his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, and, while stationed at Ft. Knox, he earned a Master's in Public Administration from Western KY University. He then served as a Professor of Military Science at Morehead State University.
He served twenty-two years in the Army, including two combat tours in Vietnam. Bruce's total foreign service exceeded twelve years. He had a branch transfer to Armor. In the Army, Bruce was Airborne-qualified, an Army Ranger, and served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment ("Blackhorse"). "Duty First" and "Fit to Fight" were his mottos.
After 9/11, he felt the call of duty again. For thirteen years, he worked in the Military Sealift Command, eventually serving as the Ship's Communications Officer of the MSC ships (USNS Kiska, USNS Niagara Falls, USNS Guadalupe, and USNS Charles Drew). He supplied Navy ships and military installations in time of combat and provided aid in peacekeeping missions.
His country recognized his patriotism time and again, through various decorations and awards, including a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam in combat and Bronze Star for his ROTC service with three Oak Leaf Clusters, a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, a Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism, and a Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bruce had many passionate hobbies, including scuba diving, collecting Lionel trains, and collecting W Britain lead toy soldiers. He ran two Marine Corps marathons, each in under three hours. He was an avid reader and loved sharing his books. While his daughters were at the University of Kentucky, Bruce and Louise became diehard UK fans and made lifelong friends tailgating. Bruce was happiest when surrounded by others and loved his benefit of traveling "Space A" to worldwide destinations.
He had a knack for learning languages. Bruce could light up the room with his great smile and beautiful blue eyes. He loved to meet new people and always made everyone feel special. Bruce was a loving, caring, and devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather.
A soldier and a sailor, he brought a new meaning to the words, "Let's roll."
The family would like to give a special thanks to the amazing nurses and doctors in the ICU at Norton Women's and Children's Hospital.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 25th, from 4-8 pm at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 26th, at 10am at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. 5th Street. Internment will take place at a later date.
Photo taken at St. Mihiel American Cemetery, France in September of 2016.
Published by Courier-Journal from Aug. 23 to Aug. 24, 2021.
__
©2021 Legacy.com All rights reserved.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Miller, age 79, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2021, after a brief illness, with Louise at his side.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 53 years, Louise Adams Miller, his three daughters, Ursula Melhuish (Nicolas), Louisville, Laura Miller (Apoo Koticha), San Diego, and Colleen Karis (Matthew), Los Angeles, three grandchildren, Adam Barnett Melhuish, Owen Nicolas Melhuish, and William Miller Karis, and two step-grandchildren, Zubin Singh Koticha and Rubahn Singh Koticha.
Bruce was born in 1941 in Boston, MA, to Bonnie Phinney Miller and Hugh Miller. Bruce was raised in a Navy family; his father served as a Lieutenant Commander. In 1959, Bruce, a football player, graduated from Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach, VA.
Bruce attended Elon College, NC. In 1963, he enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Germany and was selected for Officer Candidate School in the Signal Corps. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1966. Two days later, he met Louise while on orders for additional Signal Corps Training in preparation for his first tour of Vietnam. Later, they communicated through letters and their friendship deepened into true love. Bruce & Louise were married on February 17, 1968, in Ft. Benjamin, Harrison, IN.
Bruce always wanted a family and his desire was to be the best husband and father. The Army took them to Heidelberg, Germany, where Ursula was born. Laura was born in Johnstown, PA, and Colleen was born at the US Army Hospital in Fort Mead, Maryland.
Later, Bruce finished his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, and, while stationed at Ft. Knox, he earned a Master's in Public Administration from Western KY University. He then served as a Professor of Military Science at Morehead State University.
He served twenty-two years in the Army, including two combat tours in Vietnam. Bruce's total foreign service exceeded twelve years. He had a branch transfer to Armor. In the Army, Bruce was Airborne-qualified, an Army Ranger, and served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment ("Blackhorse"). "Duty First" and "Fit to Fight" were his mottos.
After 9/11, he felt the call of duty again. For thirteen years, he worked in the Military Sealift Command, eventually serving as the Ship's Communications Officer of the MSC ships (USNS Kiska, USNS Niagara Falls, USNS Guadalupe, and USNS Charles Drew). He supplied Navy ships and military installations in time of combat and provided aid in peacekeeping missions.
His country recognized his patriotism time and again, through various decorations and awards, including a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam in combat and Bronze Star for his ROTC service with three Oak Leaf Clusters, a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, a Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism, and a Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bruce had many passionate hobbies, including scuba diving, collecting Lionel trains, and collecting W Britain lead toy soldiers. He ran two Marine Corps marathons, each in under three hours. He was an avid reader and loved sharing his books. While his daughters were at the University of Kentucky, Bruce and Louise became diehard UK fans and made lifelong friends tailgating. Bruce was happiest when surrounded by others and loved his benefit of traveling "Space A" to worldwide destinations.
He had a knack for learning languages. Bruce could light up the room with his great smile and beautiful blue eyes. He loved to meet new people and always made everyone feel special. Bruce was a loving, caring, and devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather.
A soldier and a sailor, he brought a new meaning to the words, "Let's roll."
The family would like to give a special thanks to the amazing nurses and doctors in the ICU at Norton Women's and Children's Hospital.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 25th, from 4-8 pm at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 26th, at 10am at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. 5th Street. Internment will take place at a later date.
Photo taken at St. Mihiel American Cemetery, France in September of 2016.
Published by Courier-Journal from Aug. 23 to Aug. 24, 2021.
__
©2021 Legacy.com All rights reserved.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 53 years, Louise Adams Miller, his three daughters, Ursula Melhuish (Nicolas), Louisville, Laura Miller (Apoo Koticha), San Diego, and Colleen Karis (Matthew), Los Angeles, three grandchildren, Adam Barnett Melhuish, Owen Nicolas Melhuish, and William Miller Karis, and two step-grandchildren, Zubin Singh Koticha and Rubahn Singh Koticha.
Bruce was born in 1941 in Boston, MA, to Bonnie Phinney Miller and Hugh Miller. Bruce was raised in a Navy family; his father served as a Lieutenant Commander. In 1959, Bruce, a football player, graduated from Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach, VA.
Bruce attended Elon College, NC. In 1963, he enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Germany and was selected for Officer Candidate School in the Signal Corps. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1966. Two days later, he met Louise while on orders for additional Signal Corps Training in preparation for his first tour of Vietnam. Later, they communicated through letters and their friendship deepened into true love. Bruce & Louise were married on February 17, 1968, in Ft. Benjamin, Harrison, IN.
Bruce always wanted a family and his desire was to be the best husband and father. The Army took them to Heidelberg, Germany, where Ursula was born. Laura was born in Johnstown, PA, and Colleen was born at the US Army Hospital in Fort Mead, Maryland.
Later, Bruce finished his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, and, while stationed at Ft. Knox, he earned a Master's in Public Administration from Western KY University. He then served as a Professor of Military Science at Morehead State University.
He served twenty-two years in the Army, including two combat tours in Vietnam. Bruce's total foreign service exceeded twelve years. He had a branch transfer to Armor. In the Army, Bruce was Airborne-qualified, an Army Ranger, and served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment ("Blackhorse"). "Duty First" and "Fit to Fight" were his mottos.
After 9/11, he felt the call of duty again. For thirteen years, he worked in the Military Sealift Command, eventually serving as the Ship's Communications Officer of the MSC ships (USNS Kiska, USNS Niagara Falls, USNS Guadalupe, and USNS Charles Drew). He supplied Navy ships and military installations in time of combat and provided aid in peacekeeping missions.
His country recognized his patriotism time and again, through various decorations and awards, including a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam in combat and Bronze Star for his ROTC service with three Oak Leaf Clusters, a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, a Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism, and a Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bruce had many passionate hobbies, including scuba diving, collecting Lionel trains, and collecting W Britain lead toy soldiers. He ran two Marine Corps marathons, each in under three hours. He was an avid reader and loved sharing his books. While his daughters were at the University of Kentucky, Bruce and Louise became diehard UK fans and made lifelong friends tailgating. Bruce was happiest when surrounded by others and loved his benefit of traveling "Space A" to worldwide destinations.
He had a knack for learning languages. Bruce could light up the room with his great smile and beautiful blue eyes. He loved to meet new people and always made everyone feel special. Bruce was a loving, caring, and devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather.
A soldier and a sailor, he brought a new meaning to the words, "Let's roll."
The family would like to give a special thanks to the amazing nurses and doctors in the ICU at Norton Women's and Children's Hospital.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 25th, from 4-8 pm at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 26th, at 10am at the Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. 5th Street. Internment will take place at a later date.
Photo taken at St. Mihiel American Cemetery, France in September of 2016.
Published by Courier-Journal from Aug. 23 to Aug. 24, 2021.
__
©2021 Legacy.com All rights reserved.
Gravesite Details
Section: 25
Grave: 2889
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