Robert A. Miller

MILLER ROBERT A. TATE MILLER On March 23, 2011. He was born March 16, 1916 at Bolar, Virginia, the second of seven children of Adam H. and Minnie C. Miller. The family moved to Bridgewater, Virginia so the children could attend school there. Robert worked his way through Bridgewater College, graduating in 1939 with a BA in Economics and Mathematics. He ran track and was the first college athlete in Virginia to clear 6 feet in the high jump. He taught school in Rockingham County, Virginia for three years, was Assistant High School Principal, and coached track, baseball, and basketball. He served in the Army Signal Corps in Europe in World War II, installing long distance telephone and telegraph equipment for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces. He went on to earn a BA in Mechanical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1947, and joined the FBI as a Special Agent. He rose to Chief, Radio and Engineering Section of the FBI Laboratory in Washington, DC. He earned an MS in Forensic Science at George Washington University in 1972. He retired from the FBI with 28 years of service, and worked for 12 more years as a technical analyst and writer for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and after that as a Security Consultant. He married Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Clougherty of Timberville, Virginia in 1944. They had a wonderful, loving marriage for 65 years and raised three children in Springfield, Virginia: Mary Suzanne Costilo, Virginia Belva Connelly and Robert A. Miller, Jr. Robert was heartbroken when Betty died in May 2010. Robert was also preceded in death by his sister, Amy Michael and her husband Norman, his brother, Eddie and his wife, Lucille, his brother, Homer and his wife, Tiny, his brother, Pete and his wife, Vee, and his brother-in-law, Charlie Hill. He is survived by his sister, Ethel and her husband, Gerry Fawley; his sister, Belva Hill; and his in-laws, Bud and Joy Clougherty; many nieces and nephews. Robert and Betty had a close and loving family and they enjoyed many family vacations with their children, Suzie, Ginny and Bob; their spouses, Barry Costilo, Terry Connelly and Kim Potter; and their grandchildren, James and William Connelly and Betsy Costilo, and James' wife, Sayaka. Robert had many interests and enjoyed reading and listening to music, especially classical, opera, and jazz. He and Betty traveled extensively in the U. S. and abroad, visiting China, Australia, the Panama Canal, the Holy Land, and making many trips to Europe. He was an expert handyman and could fix anything, including appliances and cars. He was an excellent Bridge player and he and Betty played for years in several bridge groups. He enjoyed gardening and bird watching, and was an active alumnus of Bridgewater College, attending his 70th reunion in 2009. He was a lifelong member of the Church of the Brethren. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 27 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Bridgewater with Rev. Wendell Eller officiating. Betty's ashes will be interred with Robert. Memorial contributions may be made to Bridgewater College, PO Box 33, Bridgewater VA 22812. Online guest book may be signed at www.johnsonfs.com. Johnson Funeral Service, Bridgewater in charge of arrangements.Johnson Funeral Service, Bridgewater in charge of arrangements.