Richard Thomas Miller

September 23, 2023

“He has not passed, Richard has arrived”

African saying

 

Born in Camden, New Jersey, on May 3, 1938, Richard was the second son of William Miller and Audrey Mars Miller, and brother of 7 brothers and sisters, who all have since passed.

Richard was destined to travel the world when his mother gifted him a medallion of St. Christopher, patron of travelers, however he did love his country and he started his career in civil engineering and construction management in the USA working on interstate programs covering NJ, PA, DE and MD.

His first overseas assignment was in Tanzania, teaching civil engineers construction management and practical application in the field. Serendipity was at play, and he met the love of his life, Marion.

Together they moved to the jungles of Sumatra, (anyone need a ride in my helicopter without doors?), a short stint in Libya as American citizens were ordered to leave and go back to the safety of Switzerland, to their home in the Alps. He established his own company, securing projects in the Far East. If anyone rides the MRT in Singapore, thumbs up to them as the architectural finishes of six stations are his accomplishment.  The desert beckoned, and off they went to Saudi Arabia, Richard worked very hard, and he always looked forward to the “tea tickets” in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. There was Sub Saharan – Africa Chad and Cameroon, the UK and France and finally, the return to the USA, to New Jersey. There he became involved with a few projects in North Jersey, where he had started and ended his career.  These past years, he enjoyed living at Four Seasons, their home. He loved the safety of it all, and made friends in this caring community.

Describing Richard, there is so much. A life well lived, full of adventure, full of people, full of joy and happiness.

Richard had humor, made people laugh, was a great raconteur in the day, the many hours spent at the dinner table will be remembered fondly. He was a star in the kitchen, although it took him forever to actually put the end result on the table and was a connoisseur of wines.  If you asked him if he would like another glass, he would say “Is the Pope a Catholic”? Often bringing confusion to the one who had asked.

He loved the mountains, hiking the Alps many times with his malamute Sam, or flying down the mountain on a sleigh.

He loved his Dutch family, Robert and Mieke, since passed, and Frank and Heleen, with their boys Steven and Sebas, who were more like his sons, and their loves, Maite and Charlie. He loved riding with them on the tractor at the farm in France, feeding the cows apples, cider apples of course. Or baptizing the small boat on the fishpond and promptly falling in the water. his glasses still lay on the bottom of the pond.

He loved his Micato family, in the USA, Africa and India and the Micato family was always there for him, how he enjoyed the case of champagne, even if he never got to finish all.

He loved his and Marion’s doggies, Sammy, aka Shorty and Mickey, aka Brutus, or Killer, depending on what their Mick did.

Above all he loved his wife Marion, he absolutely believed that they had been together in earlier lives, and he was convinced they would be together again, for another fantastic ride, and what a wonderful and beautiful ride it was.

The last years of his life, Richard needed care, at home, lovingly given, and sprinkled with much, much laughter. Life without him seems to be unimaginable, his last message to Marion will be kept closely…

“I can’t imagine a more wonderful partner than you to share my life with,

Thank you for letting me be me,

For loving me as I am,

And understanding me so well,

Forever and always, my heart belongs to you.

Love,

Richard”

 

Till we meet again my lieverd.

 

Services are Private.