Paul Robison Miles

Paul Robison Miles SCITUATE Paul Robison Miles died after a short struggle with cancer on October 20, 2008. Paul was born in Kengtung, Burma on March 29, 1928 to medical missionaries Dr. Max D. Miles and Margaret (Bailey) Miles. He grew up in Scituate and attended schools there. Graduating from Clarkson College of Technology as an Electrical Engineer, he went on to study earth science at Boston College, graduating with a degree in geophysics, specializing in seismology. He was first employed at Cole Laboratory, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, in a civilian capacity working for the new agency NASA. Moving back to New England with his family in 1956, he was employed variously with Nortonics, Melpar and finally with the Cambridge firm of Bolt, Beranek and Newman, where he stayed for 30 years. At BBN he was involved with under water sound for the U.S. Navy, having many research trips aboard ships in Atlantic waters, the Pacific and in the Arctic Ocean and once aboard a nuclear submarine. One of his most interesting assignments was working in conjunction with the University of Hawaii and the University of Washington on the study of sound sources and their impact on the behaviors of certain whale species. Upon retirement in 1991, Paul, for a short time, did consulting work, but then became involved in the Scituate Historical Society as the Vice President of Preservation. In this capacity, he oversaw the renovation and restoration of many of the historic sites in town, most notably the Scituate Lighthouse and the Lawson Tower. He and wife Carol were honored in 2004 as "Scituate Citizens of the Year". He was currently working on the restoration of the historic 1650 Grist Mill on Country Way. Paul enjoyed hiking in the mountains, golfing, photography, singing in the church choir and keeping the house and yard in pristine condition. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Carol (Robison) Miles, his daughters Deborah and her husband Steve Prentice of Norwell, Amy and her husband Rod MacDonald of East Hampton, Connecticut and his daughter-in-law Judy (Kramar) Miles of Juneau, Alaska. He was the proud grandfather of Ian and Nate MacDonald, Skye Prentice and Kim and Andy Miles. he also leaves his sister Jo and husband Howard Schuman, sister-in-law Betty Miles and many nieces and nephews. Paul was predeceased by his son Mark "Duff" Miles of Juneau, Alaska and his brother Matt Miles of New York. Burial services will be private. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church, Scituate, on Saturday, November 1 at 2:00 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Scituate Historical Society, the Scituate First Baptist Church or to the charity of your choice. Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home 781-545-0196