Robert W. Miller

Robert W. Miller, 82, passed away on October 18, 2010 at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He was born September 16, 1928, in Boonton, New Jersey, to Edmond W. Miller, Sr. and Mabel (Stackhouse) Miller. After graduating from Mountain Lakes N.J. High School, Mr. Miller entered Duke University, graduating in 1950.  He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He then joined General Electric, interrupting his career to serve in the US Marine Corps from 1950-52.  He was stationed at Camp Lejeune and achieved the rank of sergeant. After his discharge, he rejoined General Electric, opting to enter the sales field for small appliances.  As a manufacturer’s representative, he was based in Cincinnati, where he met his wife, Jane Schwalm, whom he married in 1956.  Within the next few years, he was promoted to increasingly larger regional markets in Chicago, Ill., Lancaster, Pa., Cleveland, Ohio; Morristown, N.J. and Bridgeport, Conn.  In later career moves he became Vice President of Schick Electric in Lancaster Pa., Vice President of professional sales for Spaulding Sporting Goods in Chicopee, Mass. and a group Vice President of Sunbeam Corporation in Oakbrook, Ill. where he was responsible for eleven consumer product companies.  His last job was President and part owner of Healthometer, a scale company with worldwide distribution. After his retirement in 1993, the Millers wintered in Naples, Fla., and spent their summers at their beloved cottage at Lake Syracuse, Ind. Bob is survived by his wife, Jane, daughter, Pamela Miller Crain (Kevin), Lisle, Ill.; son, Todd Wesley Miller, Naples, Fla., and two grandchildren, Allison Crain and Jack Crain; brother, Edmond Miller (Sue), Oneida, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Donna Schrock (Harold), Goshen, Ind. and Naples, Fla.; brother-in-law, Dean Schwalm (Anna), Goshen and Venice, Fla., and many nieces and nephews. Bob and Jane travelled to 31 countries on business and pleasure.  He enjoyed playing tennis and golf, and watching his favorite sport events on television.  In his youth he also enjoyed piloting his own small plane, hunting, and fishing.  He was most proud of his family and was known by them as their most ardent and loving supporter.  Another source of great pride was his service in the Marine Corps and his Duke associations. Bob was known by all business associates and children alike as a fun person to “meet and greet” at chance encounters.  He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, Ind., is charged with carrying out his final wishes for cremation and a memorial service in Goshen.  A later memorial service at Bentley Village and interment in the Memorial Garden at Moorings Presbyterian Church will take place in Naples, Fla. The family prefers that individuals wishing to make a gift in Bob’s memory do so to a charity of their own choosing. Friends may call one hour prior to an11 a.m., memorial service, Saturday, October 23, 2010, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.