Warren Miller

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dr. Warren Robert Miller, born to Daniel and Edna (Bankson) Miller on the family farm in Dorchester, May 31, 1921, died peacefully surrounded by family at Fort Myers, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009.

"Doc" Miller was united in marriage to, and is survived by, Berdean Witfoth. They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary Nov. 15. In addition to his wife, Dr. Miller is survived by his son, Daniel Miller, MD, of Fort Myers; daughter, Holly Miller-Stout (Kevin), of Columbus; daughter, Patricia Miller-Ellsworth (Dan), of Omaha; grandson, Michael Stout (Sarah Miller), of Valley View, Texas; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Stout-Hernandez (Keith), of Omaha; granddaughter, Taylor Ellsworth, of Lincoln; grandson, Joseph Ellsworth, of Omaha; and, great-grandson, Elijah Hernandez, of Omaha.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, F. Paul Miller.

Dr. Miller was raised in Dorchester, graduating from Dorchester High School in 1939. While in high school he was active in drama and music and was a letter-winner in track and basketball. In his junior year, he was a member of the Dorchester High School 1938 State Class B Basketball Tournament team. Following his graduation from high school, he enrolled at Doane College, and he attended Doane from 1940-42. His college career was interrupted when he was inducted for World War II military service in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. During his four-year military career he served at Fort Shafter, Hi., Kwajalein, Enewitok and Ulithi Atolls, Saipan, Okinawa and in Korea. Among his many military awards, Dr. Miller was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, for injuries he received in combat in Okinawa May 13, 1945.

Returning from his military service, he returned to Doane, earning a bachelor of art degree in 1948. Following his graduation from Doane, he was accepted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He earned his Medical Doctor degree from UNMC in 1952. Dr. Miller completed his internship at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, in Omaha, and his surgical residency at UNMC.

In 1953, Dr. Miller moved with Berdean to Columbus. In association with Clyde Medlar, MD, and Buzz Lemke, MD, he founded the Columbus Medical Center, and he remained a partner there until his retirement in 1986.

It's estimated that during his 33 years of medical practice in Columbus, he delivered approximately 3,000 babies. During his medical career Dr. Miller served as president, Columbus Medical Center; president, Platte County Medical Association; vice president, Nebraska Family Practice Association; counselor to the Fifth District Nebraska Medical Association; Nebraska's Medical Association Delegate to the American Medical Association; and chief of staff of the Columbus Hospital.

Dr. Miller was very active in community activities, serving as being president of the Columbus Airport Authority, president of the Sky Roamers Flying Club and board member, of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

He was a life member of the Nebraska Medical Association, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also appointed as an Honorary Admiral of the Navy of the Great State of Nebraska.