Richard Miner

GREENFIELD -- Dr. Richard Leroy Miner, D.D.S., 97, died Sept. 6, 2010.

He was born in Newtonville, Mass., July 29, 1913, to Edna Winifred (Dailey) and Dr. Leroy Matthew Simpson Miner.

He grew up in Newtonville, Mass., and prepared at Deerfield Academy for Boston University and McGill University, where he earned his D.D.S. in 1943. He did postgraduate work at Montreal General Hospital and the Walter Reed Hospital.

After three years of military service with the U.S. Army dental corps, he was discharged with the rank of captain. He joined his father in the practice of oral surgery in Boston in 1947. He was on the staff of hospitals in the Boston area as well as in New Hampshire.

Family members include his wife of 63 years, Murlyn (Rodger) Miner; two daughters, Cheryl Mullen of Greenland and Heather Bower of Nelson; and son Richard Miner of Greenfield.

IN HIS LIFE: He held teaching appointments at Harvard and Tufts University, with an assistant professorship at both. He was an active member of the surgical staff at the Thom Hospital Shriver Center at the Walter Fernald School in Waltham, Mass., in addition to Hahnemann Hospital, where he was trustee; Massachusetts General Hospital and Deaconness Hospital. An avid sports fan, Dr. Miner was team oral surgeon for the Boston Bruins for over 20 years and briefly dentist for the Boston Red Sox. He also conducted an office practice.

From the age of 3, he always loved working and his family farm in Greenfield, where he and his wife, Murlyn, retired to actively participate in town activities, historical society, and Greenfield Congregational Church. He was known around town to his friends as "Doc." While serving at Dibble General Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., during World War II, he met his wife of 63 years, Murlyn (Roger). They married in 1947 and raised three children in Wellesley, Mass.

Family members also include two sons-in-law, Joseph Mullen of Greenfield and David Bower of Nelson; seven grandchildren, Jason, Drew, Heather and Joseph Mullen and Daniel, Jonathan and Eric Bower; and three great-grandchildren, Henry, Sam and Anne Mullen.

SERVICES: There are no calling hours. A private family service and burial are planned. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Meeting House. Donations may be made to Hospice, Home Heath Care and Community Services, P.O. Box 495, Peterborough 03458; Greenfield Community Church, c/o the Rev. Daniel Osgood, Greenfield; or Monadnock Community Hospital, c/o Laura Gingras, 452 Old St., Peterborough 03458.

Holt-Woodbury Funeral Service is assisting with arrangements.