David Lee Miller

David Lee Miller, age 82, passed away at Nebraska Medical Center on October 18, 2023.

He was born on May 31, 1941, in Ainsworth, Nebraska to the late Henry and Georgia (Baldwin) Miller. The middle child of three, Dave graduated from Ainsworth High in 1959 where he was very active and was a natural leader.

Early in his freshman year at Midland Lutheran College, his father died suddenly. With steadfast determination that foreshadowed his approach to life, Dave transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and worked while earning his degree in Mechanical Engineering. It was 1964 and the Vietnam war was on the horizon. However, his first job was working on classified projects with Bendix, a government supplier and, thus, his contribution to his country was chosen. After three years, he began a 25-year career at IBM as a field engineer pioneering the use of computers across various business markets including large corporations and manufacturing facilities across the United States. Well-versed in the new and rapidly changing world of IT, Dave retired early from IBM but kept working, leveraging his IT skills at Conagra and Prairie Systems.

Dave applied his brilliant and creative mechanical abilities throughout his life with many hobbies. Early on, he often was found building model airplanes. Highly skilled in metal working, loaded with tools, presses, drills, and a welder, he could fabricate just about anything in his garage. He built and raced sprint cars, rebuilt classic cars, built and flew radio-controlled model airplanes, and built and flew real airplanes, even the ones he built. He was that good. He loved to travel and made trips including the Grand Canyon with fellow IBM employees and riding motorcycles and camping in Colorado with his friends.

Dave quietly touched so many, many lives. He gave anonymous gifts to people in need he knew, he spent countless hours listening and mentoring many, he guided them to make constructive changes in their lives, and he plainly saved many from their paths of destruction. Thus, Dave Miller, made his indelible mark on the world, and it is surely a better place because of him.

Ultimately, his family was his life and his joy. He married his high school sweetheart, Thelma Micheel the same year he graduated college. Together they had two daughters, Kristen and Nicole, whom they raised in Omaha. In the early 2000's, when four granddaughters arrived, that's when the real fun began! He lavished love on his entire family (but mostly his granddaughters) and selflessly gave them many sweet memories. Most prominent were the summer trips to places like Long Pine, Nebraska to visit with extended family and enjoy Nebraska; Minnesota Lake Country, Fort Robinson and Mount Rushmore, Niobrara State Park, and Branson, Missouri. He often said, "I'm the luckiest [S.O.B.] on the planet."

Other than his parents, and his parents-in-law, Otto and Dorothy Micheel, Dave was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Bob Micheel and Larry Schelm, and his nephew, Doug Micheel, all of Ainsworth, Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Thelma; children, Kristen (Christian) New and Nicole (Chance) Irvine of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska; grandchildren, Abigail New, Sophia Irvine, Emily New, and Isabella Irvine; brother, Jim (Nancy) Miller of Torrington, Wyoming; sister, Sandy Schelm of Ainsworth, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Bill (Ruth) Micheel of Ainsworth, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Micheel of Ainsworth, Nebraska and Carole Miller of Cheyenne, Wyoming; many nieces and nephews; close family friends Jason and Heather Cramer, and honorary grandchildren Nicholas, Corrina, and Nathan Cramer and Andrea and Robert Hart.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 5 PM - 7 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Friday, October 27, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to:

Arch Halfway House

archhalfwayhouse.org

604 S 37th St. Omaha, NE 68105

402-346-1129

Angel Flight Central

angelflightcentral.org

10 NW Richards Rd. Kansas City, MO 64116

816-421-2300