Rod Miller

1940 - 2013

Rodney (Rod) Carter Miller, Sr.

January 16, 1940

November 8, 2013

Rodney Carter Miller Sr. died suddenly November 8, 2013 at age 73. He leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Robin Joy ("the best thing that ever happened to him") and their daughter Nicole Joy ("if I could have created a blueprint for a daughter, she'd be it"). Rod is also survived by his son Rodney, Jr., 3 grandchildren, a sister, and 2 brothers. In addition he is survived by Dwight Jividen "the best brother-in-law ever" & his "favorite nieces to pieces" Jamie Mitchell. Rod was pre-deceased by his daughter Christine Wenzl.

Rod played major league baseball straight out of high school - signing w/the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957. He had one at bat in the majors at age 17. He played in the minors for 3 years, including w/the Reno Silver Sox. He was about to join the "big" team in Los Angeles when he was drafted to the U.S. Marine Corps where he spent the next 4 years. Following his service in the Marines, Rod worked several years in the steel forging industry - at one point being awarded a special recognition plaque from NASA for a part he designed for the space shuttle Columbia. He held various jobs during the 21 years that he lived in Reno, Nevada. His all-time favorite job (other than the Dodgers) was being a greenskeeper at the now-closed Northgate golf course. Rod also coached little league for several years both in California and Nevada.

In 2009 Rod & Robin retired to Cascade, Idaho. He served as President at the Cascade Senior Center for a year, volunteered at Kelly's Whitewater Park, and helped anyone who need it. He was incredibly proud to have been a member of American Legion Post 60 in Cascade where he was currently serving as Chaplain. He treasured the friendships that he made there. He and Robin attended Cascade Community Church. He was a regular at Gramma's Restaurant and enjoyed his "coffee buddies" & the waitresses who took such good care of him. Rod was also a member of Ionic Lodge #82 in Cascade and a member of the Major League Baseball Players Athletic Alumni Association.

Special thanks for extending his life after being diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2003 goes to Drs. Trimmer, Dardick, Fontelonga, and Hershewe, plus long-time family physician "Dr. Mike" Haley and all of their caring staff in Reno, Nevada. In addition, thanks goes to all of the physicians and nursing staff at Cascade Medical Center who took such good care of Rod during his recurring bouts with pneumonia.

A memorial service will be held @ 2:00pm, November 23, 2013 at the American Legion Post 60, in Cascade, Idaho.