Robert Miller Jr.

Robert (Bob/Bobby) H. Miller Jr., after listening to “I Love Lucy” episodes and being read his own book in German, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2021 in Stein Hospice.  He is now helping God keep a sense of humor.

Bob was born January 17, 1947 in Frankfort Am Main, Germany.  It would take almost a year for his army officer father, Robert Sr. (Sonny) to bring Bobby and his German Prima Ballerina mother, Maria, to Sandusky, Ohio.

Throughout his childhood, Bob participated in the family business—The Maria Miller Dance Studios.  With his mother’s instruction, he became a relatively proficient classical ballet dancer.

After graduating from Huron High School in 1965 (with the best classmates in the world), Bob headed off to The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and German.  Bob remained a buckeye to the core.

It was Bob’s wish to see the country of his birth and Europe.  And so he did.  For three months, he visited relatives and hitch-hiked his way across Europe.

When he returned, at Cedar Point, he proposed to his soulmate and classmate, Linda Baxter.  The two married September 4, 1970 on the beach in Huron.  Bob referred to their union as the mastermind alliance.  The couple immediately left for Maryland where Bob taught psychology and did post graduate work at the University of Maryland.

After a year in Maryland, Bob returned to his beloved Ohio State and completed his Master of Arts degree in Linguistics and also taught linguistics.

In 1975, Bob and Linda returned to Huron and the shores of Lake Erie for good.  Bob landed a position at Terra State Community College (formerly Terra Tech).  It was a gig that would last over thirty years.

As the Department Head of the Center for Learning Achievement, Bob’s department was recognized as a national exemplary program in developmental education by the Kellogg Institute for its innovative teaching methodologies.  Bob was invited to participate in a national best practices in developmental education think tank.  He also wrote many educational pamphlets for the curriculum at Terra.

On the wall of his Terra office was the quotation: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”  Far beyond department recognitions, Bob’s love of knowledge and learning was embedded in his heart, mind, and soul.  In over thirty years, he taught over 4,000 students that love, with compassion and humor.  One example was a student who addressed him “hey, dude.”  Bob paused and said “do you know where you are…you are in a college class.”  The class became very still and tense.  Then Bob said “in this setting, you will address me as professor dude.”  The class roared, and so it went.

Bob Miller was a true renaissance man.  In fact, the name of his boat was Renaissance.  He enjoyed everything boating…swimming, fishing, island hopping.  He was passionate about the arts and meeting new people.  His daily hobby in recent years, was posting humorous stories and jokes on Facebook.  His curiosity and genuine interest in all life’s aspects (including cooking and making a huge mess) was limitless, yet just hanging out with friends at the Huron Eagles, where he was a member, felt good to him. Bob cherished, and was devoted to his wife, family, and friends.

He had a deep appreciation for the written word, and was an avid reader his entire life.  In 2004 he authored a book titled “A Time To Dance A Time To Run” a personal biography of his mother’s life in Nazi Germany as a prima ballerina.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Sr. (Sonny) in 1986 and mother Maria in 2010.

Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years Linda (Baxter) Miller, Huron; sister Diana (Robert) Croll, Berlin Heights; cousin Carolann (Fosco) Buderer, Sandusky; cousins in Germany and Turkey; God Mother Betty Heinrich, Ft. Wayne, IN; his extended family: brother-in-law Fred (& Dayle) Baxter, Cincinnati; sister-in-law Sharon (Ralph) Chervenka, Huron; nephew-in-law Tom (& Jamie) Baxter, Cincinnati; nephew-in-law Howard (& Jennifer)Chervenka, Painesville; niece-in-law Jennifer (& Travis) Kidman, Hebron, KY; great nephews-in-law Luke Baxter, Drew Kidman, Chase Chervenka; great nieces-in-law Ellie Baxter, Rylie Kidman, Ava Baxter; step great niece-in-law Cassandra Garcia; step great nephews-in-law Joey and Noah Garcia; and his fur buddies, cats Toby and Cody.

There will be no services or visitation; a celebration of life event is to be held in the Spring of 2022.  It was his wish to be cremated and his ashes scattered in a special place.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Terra College Foundation, 2830 Napoleon Rd., Fremont, OH  43420.

Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is handling the arrangements.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

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