Walter C. Miller M.D.

Walter C. Miller, M.D.
The Miller family is deeply saddened to announce the loss of our Patriarch, husband, father, and adored community pediatrician, Dr. Walter C. Miller M.D. He was 88 years old – encircled by his family with love, prayers, and care in his final days.
To encapsulate this brilliant, generous man is nearly impossible. As one of the first pediatricians in St. Charles IL, he spent 46 years of his life in the service of nurturing and saving other lives, fulfilling his lifelong role as "the best kid's doc ever."
Our Dad spent evenings at our family dinner table "on call" in the service of worried parents, often attending to the arrival of brand new infant patients at the "original" Delnor Hospital. Several generations of children and their children were blessed to be cared for by him and his golden retrievers, who lovingly co-piloted his practice and graced the hallways of his wonderful residential office. He welcomed and entertained his patients with the sounds of countless animated toys and prizes, making nervous young kids laugh and smile every day. He eased the worries of parents rearing tough teenagers, telling stories of his own triumphs and tribulations with his own troop of children. Serving patients was his true contentment. Pediatrics was his life's calling and many were blessed by his brilliance. We were honored to share him with so many who needed him. Our home was their home.
Doc was the unofficial "mayor" of Surrey Hill, where we he remained for 51 years in our life-long neighborhood home at 512 Wing Lane. As a younger man, you could find him organizing neighborhood Easter-egg hunts in Surrey Hill Park, labeling eggs and hiding them in crevices for the promise of cash rewards, including his coveted golden egg. In his empty-nester years, you could find him walking his best friend dogs through the neighborhood (Zeke, Wyatt, and his "best daughter" Gracie). Every dog knew him for his treats and he adored them back. These dog walk encounters were a source of true love and happiness for him.
Dad had an absolute fondness for our family "playground," a humble family gathering place in New Smyrna Beach, FL. He organized this yearly adventure as a 2-day road trip in our glitter-painted Suburban: curb-feelers and suitcases roped to the roof, 10 people packed in prior to seatbelt laws, infrequent bathroom stops, snack-bags-to-battle over, and a fine-card for penalty of misbehavior. It was here in Florida that he felt at total ease and joy, later in life bringing his dogs to bask in the sun with him. From chicken pool fights, to beach games, to night-long turtle hunts that turned into hundreds of mosquito bites, he was passionate about curating ways for his family to experience life together. You could find him marveling at a majestic green turtle laying her eggs for hours, patiently explaining and celebrating the process to countless young children on the evening search with their parents. He was a joyful custodian of knowledge for young people.
He was a competitive jokester, constantly making up games that forever favored his victory. From playing "pepper" and "running bases," to inventing original games like "step baseball," – his capers stirred a true spirit of competition amongst his cherished "M" children. As a grandfather, his trickster tendencies continued in forms such as "pick the envelope," only to claim the illustrious prize of fake paper money.
Our Dad was a pioneer and champion for St. Charles Soccer – he was one of leading initiators, organizers, supporters, and funders of youth soccer, organized camps, club development and indoor leagues, all culminating in what became a soccer legacy of eight IHSA Girl's State Soccer Championships during the 1990's. His trailblazing work opened up a path particularly for young women to play in college, creating new opportunities for success.
We were fortunate to learn countless lessons from our Dad during his 88 years of life.
"Make It Happen" was perhaps our Dad's greatest life motto to us – an adage to tenacity, courage, and getting things done with perseverance, drive, excellence, diligence, and discipline. Born in Baltimore, MD and raised with his little sister by a single-parent mother, Walter rose above his difficult circumstances by using both the military and education as a springboard for success. He was a Lance Corporal in the USMC from 1952-1954. (And lovingly named one of our soccer teams "Teufel Hunden" in honor of the Devil Dogs). The military GI Bill launched him into his college journey at Notre Dame in the class of 1958, a proud place that he later shared with his three sons. Afterwards, Dad attended the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University on a personal loan from a family friend and proudly repaid every cent via a homemade coupon book.
Our Dad was a life-saver who didn't need fanfare or applause. From running into a burning building to rescue a child during his college years, to the diagnoses of rare conditions for children during his years of practice, to counseling young men in correctional facilities – he was truly devoted to his oath of beneficence – practicing charity, mercy, and kindness as his foundational ethic. After he retired from medicine, you could still find him studying the latest Journal of Medicine so that he could outsmart his doctor sons, reminding them he never had the help of Google.
When the house would get too unruly, which was often, with visiting family members and boisterous celebrations, our Dad would always prompt our departure by saying, "Nice seeing you. Time to go home." To our beautiful Dad – it's time to go Home.
Walter was preceded in death by his mother, Cecelia Miller. He leaves behind many survivors who loved him deeply, including: his wife of 58-years, Barbara Miller; his younger sister Lorraine Miller; his 8 children and their spouses – son Mark Miller and Stacey (Graham) Miller, daughter Monika Miller-Neumaier and Michael Neumaier, son Dr. Mike Miller and Wendy Hickman-Miller, daughter Mary (Miller) Rasmussen and Bruce Rasmussen, daughter Mindy Miller-Herman and Jevon Herman, son Dr. Marty Miller and Elizabeth (Bartlett) Miller, daughter Maggie Miller and Hector Dominguez, and daughter Marci (Miller) Jobson and Paul Jobson. His 22 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces and 1 nephew share his wit and sense of humor.
A private family viewing will be held on Friday March 5, 2021. On Saturday, March 6, a Mass will celebrate his life at Resurrection Catholic Parish in Wayne, IL at Noon. Please note that COVID protocols will be engaged at the Church, including social distancing and mandated masking. If you choose to attend the mass, you must enter only through Door #6 immediately before the mass commences. Following the mass, internment will be at the North Cemetery in St. Charles, IL.
The Miller family will plan a Celebration of Life in late summer 2021, where his patients and lifelong fans can honor him for the joy and love he gifted to so many lives.
"Give a Kind Word" was one of our Dad's constant commands – his reminder to pepper kindness toward people throughout your day. (He called himself "Saint Sonny," especially when he was being demanding with us.) As such, in lieu of flowers, please consider his wise saying and hug your loved one or child in his honor. His absolute delights were his golden retrievers, if you wish, please consider donating to As Good As Gold, Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois in his honor https://www.asgoodasgold.org