Paul Albert Miller

Miller, Paul Albert October 30, 1924-September 5, 2004
Paul A. Miller passed away of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, CA on September 5th,. He was 79. Mr. Miller, a fourth generation San Franciscan, was born to Robert Watt and Elizabeth Folger Miller. Mr. Miller was a descendant of James A. Folger, a California pioneer who brought coffee and spices to the miners of the California Gold Rush. Mr. Miller was the second of four children including, Robert Folger Miller of Hillsborough, Richard Kendall Miller (deceased) of San Francisco and Marian Miller (deceased) of Bridgehampton, N.Y. Mr. Miller was a nationally respected businessman and civic leader. He was a passionate supporter of the arts, culture, athletics and education in California. Mr. Miller was committed to and loved by his family and friends throughout the world. After attending St. Paul's School in Concord, NH, he served during World War II as a Cryptanalyst in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1943-1946, helping to intercept and decipher secret German codes. After the war he returned to graduate from Harvard University with a B.A. in Romance Languages. He began his business career with Pacific Enterprises when he joined Southern California Gas Company in 1948, which was founded by his grandfather, Christian O. Miller. After 20 years Mr. Miller became Chief Executive Officer and served as President and or Chairman until his retirement in 1989. During his distinguished career Mr. Miller served as director or trustee of Pacific Enterprises, Wells Fargo Bank, Newhall Land and Farming, and Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. As a civic leader, he was also on the Arthritis Foundation Board (San Francisco); Chairman of United Way, Los Angeles; United Way of America; American Enterprise Institute; California Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Roundtable; California Business Roundtable; World Affairs Council of Los Angeles; the Civic Light Opera and the University of Southern California. In addition, he was a Founder of the Music Center, and a member of the Los Angeles Olympics Citizens Advisory Commission. He was a member of The California Club, The Regency Club and The Los Angeles Country Club; The Pacific Union Club, The Bohemian Club of San Francisco and The Burlingame Country Club; The Brook, The Racquet & Tennis Club of New York; The Portland, White's, Aspinall's and Mark's Clubs of London. Paul was a renowned bridge, domino and backgammon player. Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Synne Hansen Miller of Los Angeles and six children from previous marriages: Robert Lyman Miller and Kelly of Los Angeles; Christian Folger Miller of Corvallis, Montana; Charles Bothin Miller and Kim of Twin Bridges, Montana; Gordon Edmunds Miller of Rowe, New Mexico; Alejandro Carlos Echeguren and Simone of San Francisco and Juan Jose Miller and Joan of Mill Valley. He had 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, as well as a step-son, Carsten Weise of Antwerp, Belgium. Paul is survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Dominic's Church, 2590 Bush at Steiner Streets, San Francisco. Private Interment, at Mountain View Cemetery, Piedmont. There will be a memorial service in Los Angeles for friends and family at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family would greatly appreciate contributions in Paul's memory to the United Way.