Roger A. Miller

1923 - 2015

Miller Roger A. Miller, 92, of Columbus, passed away at Riverside Hospital, Columbus, Ohio October 8, 2015 after several years of failing health. His wife Britta (Jones) of 69 years survives. He was born on St. Patrick's Day in 1923, the son of the late Charles P. and Frances (Baldwin) Miller. A brother, Marvin, preceded him in death. Roger graduated from Plattsburg High School in 1941. He entered WWII and the Army Air Corps with a dream to become a pilot but at 6 foot 4 inches, that dream ended; the planes were not designed for someone that tall. For most of his military career he was a ground crew chief on B-24's. He also worked on B-17's and B-29's. He flew a number of supply and transport missions including supplying Gen. George Patton with fuel for his tanks. He was stationed at Attlebridge England RFA with the 466th Bomb Group. After the war ended he married his high school sweetheart, bought a trailer and enrolled at South Dakota State University. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #24, Brookings South Dakota. After graduating with a degree in agricultural engineering, he was hired to be a county extension agent at Cornell University, N.Y. He earned a Master's Degree while there and was also faculty member. Returning to Ohio, Roger was a faculty member at the Ohio State University, retiring in 1985. In 1989, well after his military career ended, he began volunteering with the USO in Columbus. At the MEPS center he greeted many young men and women as they were beginning their military careers. His work with OSU had him covering all 88 counties so no matter what part of Ohio the recruits were from, he knew something about their county or hometown. He was named Columbus USO Volunteer of the Year years ago and was honored in the Veterans Day Parade, riding in a car with his name and award displayed on the sides. He is survived by daughter, Marjorie of Worthington; sons, Ronald of Columbus, Carl of Grove City and Charles (Patti) of South Vienna; niece, Carol Miller of Urbana; six grandchildren, Renee Grindstaff, Claire Marr, Evan Miller, Kenneth Miller, Neal Miller and Alanna Miller; and four great grandchildren, Brenna and Noah Grindstaff and Caleb and Eden Marr. A private family memorial service will be held 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Wesley Glen Retirement Auditorium, 5155 N. High St., Columbus 43214. Contributions can be made to United Services Organization (USO) in his name. Arrangements by SHAW-DAVIS FUNERAL HOMES.