James Bell Miller

NORFOLK - James Bell Miller, 66, of Norfolk, died Sunday, August 4, 2013 in a local hospital. He was a native of New York City, New York and was the son of the late Charles Phillips Miller and Emaline May Miller. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Jim received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Old Dominion University where he later taught Electrical Engineering Technology as an adjunct professor. During a 33 year career with NASA, Jim developed a reputation for excellence in Systems Engineering, Project Management, and Anomaly Investigation. He served as Project Manager for the CERES instrument Flight Model 5 and 6, and for SABER, a key element of the TIMED mission. As Electrical Systems Engineer, Jim developed a semi-autonomous video processing system for the Solar Array Experiment, part of the OAST-1 shuttle mission. He also developed analysis code and non-linear simulation models of the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) scanner, and performed analysis to support diagnoses and correction of anomalous scanner performance. Throughout his career with NASA, Jim developed satellite-based instrumentation, patented new technologies, and saw his projects launched into orbit. Jim was a devoted Christian and ministered to high school students as a Young Life leader and committee member for over 30 years - for his service, he received the Jim Rayburn Award. Overseeing a cabin youth retreat facility for a number of years, Jim touched the lives of hundreds of Virginia's youth. He had a heart for the homeless, and served Union Mission, NEST, Food Bank, and Serve the City. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, June Bundy Miller of Norfolk, his children, Charles P. Miller II and wife Lindsay of San Francisco, and Katharine Elizabeth Miller of Norfolk. A member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, a memorial service will be held there, Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 11:00 AM. The Reverend F. Scott Hennessy will officiate. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Union Mission or Young Life, Norfolk. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk chapel is handling arrangements.