Ronald Miller

Longtime Anchorage resident Ronald "Ron" Wayne Miller, 65, died at Providence Alaska Medical Center of a heart attack he suffered at his home early morning May 8, 2011.

A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Cathedral, 800 W. Fifth Ave., on Monday beginning at 2 p.m., followed by a burial at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E St.

Most recently, Ron Miller was executive director of the Alaska State Redistricting Board, which oversees the redrawing of Alaska's legislative districts every 10 years. From 2003 to 2008, he served as executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and the Alaska Energy Authority. In both positions he continued a reputation for fairness and practicality that he built up over the years in a varied career in government and the private sector.

Ron was born Sept. 27, 1945, in Louisville, Ky., to Margaret (Stinson) and Paul Miller. He was the sixth child in the family. Ron graduated from St. Paul's Elementary School, where he received a scholarship to attend Mount St. Frances Seminary for three years. He completed high school at Flaget High School in Louisville.

After a four-year tour with the Air Force, during which he was stationed in Alaska, he returned to Kentucky to finish his B.A. in Slavic languages at the University of Kentucky. He briefly considered entering a Ph.D. program in Russian literature, but then decided to pursue a legal career. He completed a J.D. at the Brandeis School of Law. However, Ron retained a serious interest throughout his life in the Russian language and Russia.

After law school, Ron became a VISTA volunteer with the stipulation that he be sent back to Alaska. He became a member of the Alaska Bar in 1978. In the 1980s, he worked as legal counsel for the North Pacific Fisheries Council.

Ron's interest in Russia was re-energized in the late 1980s, when the "ice curtain" between Alaska and Russia dissolved, and he worked as a trade specialist for the Office of International Trade under the Cowper administration. In the 1990s, he worked as an attorney and also managed American construction projects in Russia, and managed a commercial fishing joint venture based in the Russian Far East. He also made time to complete an M.B.A. at the prestigious International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland.

Ron's life was changed dramatically thanks to his work with Russia. Ron met Oksana, his future wife, when she was on a business trip in Seattle from Russia. From the first moment they laid eyes on each other it was clear to both of them that they were meant to be together. They were married in August 2002. They were delighted, a year later, to welcome their son Nicholas (Kolya) and their daughter Katherine (Katya) the following year. Nicholas inherited from his beloved Dad seriousness and a sense of responsibility, while Katherine inherited her Mom's optimism and energy -- which resulted in a balanced, happy and harmonious family life.

Ron died early morning on Mother's Day and did not have a chance to speak to Oksana what was in his heart, but he did leave a card that read, "In your hands I have found trust and comfort. In your arms I have found happiness and joy. In your heart I have found a love that will last forever. You are now, and will be, the only woman in the world for me."

An account has been set up by friends to assist Ron's young children, titled the Ron Miller's Children Support Memorial Account, at Northrim Bank, account 7101645419. Checks should be made to "Oksana S. Miller."

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his oldest brother, James Miller; and a sister, Virginia Beck.

He is survived by his wife, Oksana; his children, Nicholas (Kolya) and Katherine (Katya); his sisters, Agnes Morgan, Brenda Miller and Sue Miller-Jochum; his brothers, Robert Miller and Henry Miller; his mother-in-law, Victoria Kovrizhnyk; father-in-law, Sergei Kovrizhnyk; brother-in-law, Sergei Kovrizhnyk; and Oksana's grandfather, Vasiliy Mikitchuk. Ron has 13 nieces and nephews and 11 great-nieces and nephews.