Donald Keith Miller

Donald K. Miller passed away on May 10, 2025, at his home in Palm Beach surrounded by the people who loved him most.

Born in Akron, Ohio, on February 2, 1932, Don was the son of Clinton R. Miller Sr. and Hazel E. Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Clinton R. Miller Jr. and Judith M. Tamsen. A graduate of Buchtel High School in 1950, he was a National Honor Student, captain of the varsity football team, and was proudly voted "King B" of his graduating class.

Don went on to attend Cornell University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1954 as a Military ROTC graduate. In 1994 Don established the Donald K. Miller Scholarship to help make a Cornell education attainable for others.

Following graduation, Don served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, where he was one of two officers assigned to the Adjutant General's Office at the Pentagon. There, he played a key role in the installation of the IBM 705 mainframe computer system.

After his military service, he earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1959. He would later endow the Donald K. Miller Fellowship at HBS to support future business leaders.

Don began his business career in New York City, first at Chase Bank and next at Electric Bond & Share Company. He then joined three of his HBS classmates at G.H. Walker & Co., where he helped launch the Corporate Finance Group. He continued to make his mark after the firm was acquired by White Weld & Co., joining the board of RPM International, Huffy Corp., and working closely with Sam Walton during Walmart's secondary offering following its NYSE debut. He often enjoyed recounting his travels in Sam's truck as they travelled with the dogs from store to store, or in the small plane piloted by Sam himself, as Walmart continued to grow.

Don went on to hold senior leadership roles at Blyth, Eastman, Dillon & Co and at Paine Webber after their merger. He later served as Chairman of Greylock Financial Inc., a private equity firm. His distinguished board service included roles with Christensen Boyles Corporation, Thomson Advisory Group, PIMCO Advisors, and Layne Christensen Company.

In 1998, Don co-founded Axiom Investors, a global growth equity manager based in Greenwich, Connecticut. He served as an active Chairman for many years, taking great pride in the firm's growth and accomplishments.

Don was drawn to people and they were drawn to him. He cherished the communities he called home- Greenwich, Connecticut and Palm Beach, Florida-yet he always carried with him the humility and values of his Midwestern roots.

Though he achieved much, and was a longtime philanthropist, for many his true wealth lay in the time, wisdom, and warmth he offered so freely to others. He was deeply committed to sharing his experiences, lessons, and stories with younger generations. He was a lifelong learner, a man of deep empathy, unwavering integrity, and quiet generosity. He had a profound love of history, an uncanny memory for facts and quotes, and a particular fondness for Kipling's "If" and Teddy Roosevelt's words: "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

A proud patriot, Don remained active in Republican politics, supporting candidates such as his close family friend, Senator Dan Sullivan.

An avid athlete, Don found joy on the squash and tennis courts, whether at the Bath and Tennis Club, The Everglades Club, the Round Hill Club, or the New York Racquet Club. He thrived on the camaraderie and competition. At 91, he could still be found playing tennis on the weekends in Palm Beach.

Above all, Don was a devoted husband, father, and "Papa." His love for his family was boundless, and his legacy will live on in the values, memories and love he instilled in them.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Priscilla (Muffy) Miller; his devoted sons, Prescott C. Miller and Barclay St. J. Miller; daughter-in-law, Randi S. Miller; and five cherished grandchildren: Avery, Prescott, Rush, Sailor and Barclay Miller.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate to know him.

A private family service was held at the Church of Bethesda-By-the-Sea in Palm Beach. A Celebration of Life will follow in Palm Beach later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach (please contact Dawn Miller at dmiller@palmbeachpreservation.org or 561-832-0731); or to Eaglebrook School (please contact Schuyler Bogel at sbogel@eaglebrook.org or 413-774-9182 - Miller Family Faculty Fund).