Thormund Miller

Thormund A. Miller July 14, 1919 - Feb. 19, 2010. Thor passed away peacefully at the age of 90. He was born in Pocatello, ID to Roy E. Miller and Lillian Thordarson, and raised in Milwaukee, OR. In 1941 he graduated from Reed College and entered into Officer's Candidate School. From 1942-1946 he served in the Navy; first on a mine sweeper in the Atlantic and then on a destroyer in the Pacific. While stationed in New York, he met Hannah Alma Flansburg and married upon his return from the Pacific. After the war he graduated from Columbia Law School (1948). He worked for Southern Pacific Railroad from 1950-1979 finishing his career there as the Vice President and General Counsel. He was instrumental in starting SP's Sprint Communication. One highlight in his career was arguing a case for the railroads in front of the Supreme Court in 1967. In 2003 he met and then married Barbara Cornell Singelyn. They moved from Atherton to Los Altos in 2008. Thor was devoted to his community. He was President of the Atherton Civic Interest League and the Holbrook Palmer Park Board. He participated on the Grand Jury of San Mateo, CA, The Kiwanis Club and The University of California Press. He maintained a close tie with Reed College, serving as a Trustee from 1987 to 2010 and endowing the Thormund Miller & Walter Mintz Chair for Economics in 1996. His family and friends drew inspiration from his dignity, genuine kindness, compelling smile and ethical approach to life. He will be remembered as a gentleman who listened patiently and helped wherever he could. His real talent was guiding friends and associates to find a workable compromise to their disagreements. He is survived by his daughters; Christine Westall and Karen Van Gerpen (Gary); grandchildren Austin & Becky Westall and Katrina Van Gerpen. He will be missed by his sister, Dorothy (Miller) Buck and her children, and his adopted family, Rodman Cornell (Karen Drury), Lynn Terzian (Fred), and David Cornell (Barbara), as well as his wife's 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Hannah & Thor's marriage of 56 years created many fond memories like family vacations, and entertaining in their beautiful home. His last 6 years were enriched by his marriage with Barbara. The love they shared was a continual joy to both of them. They attended many functions with Barbara's extended family where Thor loved playing with all the great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Friday March 12, 2010 at 1 PM at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, 950 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park. For details contact Spangler Mortuaries (650)948-6619 www.spanglermortuary.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula.