Obituary: Robert J. Miller

Robert John Miller (March 13, 1935 – November 29, 2021)

Robert J. Miller, 86, began and ended his life in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but in the middle he lived a life beyond one life’s usual limits, filled with faith, service, dedication, generosity, and adventure. 

Bob was ordained as a Lutheran minister at Capital University, and spent one memorable year as an intern pastor in Oregon City, Oregon. Inspired in his senior year to join a mission, he traveled to Ethiopia through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. He lived for over ten years in Ethiopia, making dear friends and helping with many agricultural, school, and construction projects, such as digging water wells and helping rebuild the Ethiopian Orthodox Church at Adi Nagel. He also served for two years as the first secretary of the Mekane Yesus Church, the first Lutheran church in Ethiopia. His memoir, Tales of Tchinina, describes some of his many experiences in Ethiopia, including how he met and married Lilli, a medical missionary there, and raised three children. 

Back in the U.S., he was the minister for St. John Lutheran Church in Dundee, and with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District he worked to place hundreds of high school students in jobs and internships. He worked with the Freedom Township Planning Commission and built wheelchair ramps with Habitat for Humanity. As the Freedom Township historian, he researched and documented family and local township histories. 

Bob’s service, however, was a small piece of all he did. As a steward of the land, he started a Michigan tree farm, planting thousands of oak, walnut, and cherry trees and selling hardwood lumber. Using carpentry skills learned from his father, he made and gave away walking sticks, Leopold benches, and other woodcraft, and rebuilt the family home after it caught fire. He gardened enough every year to fill the stores for winter and to share with the neighborhood. He loved reading, playing cards with family and friends, and especially singing sacred music in the church choir with his fine bass voice. 

Bob is preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Anna (Buss) Miller, and his sisters, Kathy Kendig and Marilyn Maaseidvaag. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lilli; son, John; daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Doug; daughter, Jackie; grandson, Brinn; brother, Lauren Miller; and many nieces and nephews. Hard work, kindness, and music filled every day of his life, and his family and friends will miss him more than we could ever say.

In accordance with his and his family’s wishes, memorial donations may be made to a charitable cause of your choice. A memorial service for family and friends will be held Sunday, June 5, at 2 pm at 10955 Hieber Rd., Manchester, MI 48158. Details can be found here: https://bobmillermemorial.wordpress.com

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.