Robert D. 'Bob' Miller, 87
Robert D. “Bob” Miller, 87, of Sandpoint, Idaho, passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2010, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Funeral services are 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2010, at Coffelt Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Paul Graves, officiating. Visitation is from 12 p.m.to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2010, and Saturday morning until time of service. A potluck will be held at the Oden Grange Hall following the committal at Pinecrest Cemetery.
The journey began for Bob Miller on March 30, 1923, by his mother pulling a wagon for 2 1/2 miles with his older brother and sister to the highway from their Wrenco home, while in labor to catch a ride to Dover where the hospital was at that time. What a remarkable mother she was. Bob’s dad was already there working at the Dover mill.
His early childhood was spent working on the family farm at Wrenco, hand-milking cows, and putting in lots of hay. Since they put in so much hay Bob invented the buck rake which made their haying easier and neighbors really appreciated the invention. His early school years were at the Wrenco schoolhouse, then on to Sandpoint High School.
Bob did a short time in the U.S. Army Air Corp; however, he was called home to help his mom because his father had passed away.
In 1945, he met Bonnie Neu at the roller skating rink. After dating for a year they were married on Dec. 28, 1946, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In 1958, Bob moved his family from North Boyer by the airport to the Northside area, where he farmed and raised beef cattle.
His first love, besides his family, was working in the woods and operating his D6C dozer. He was great at fixing broken equipment. If a part couldn’t be found he would make it.
Bob had four children, Judy and (Loren) Spielman, Jim Miller, Jack Miller and Janet and and (John) Scott; eight grandchildren, Melynda, Lance, Kelly and Dallas Spielman, Ashley and Brent Scott, and JD and Devon Miller; great-grandchildren, Logan and Kayten Kunde, Mason and Austin Spielman, Audriana and Lucius Spielman and Gabriel Miller.
Preceding Bob in death were his parents, George A. Miller and Margaret Ann (Diehl) Miller; his 2 brothers, George P. Miller of Bonners Ferry and Kenneth W. Miller of Orofino, Idaho; and a son, James R. Miller.
Survivors include his wife Bonnie; his three children, Judy and (Loren) Spielman, Jack Miller, Janet and (John) Scott in the Sandpoint area. Also surviving are his two sisters, Betty (and Jim) O’Neil and Virginia Watts; numerous nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Jean Miller of Hayden, Idaho, and Laurella Miller in Orofino.
Family and friends are invited to sign Bob’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.