Richard Graydon Miller October 12, 1939 - February 1, 2022
Gainesville, Florida Richard (Rich) Miller died peacefully at home on February 1, 2022, from complications due to Parkinson’s Disease.
Rich was born in Huntington, IN, to Lelia Steele and W. Graydon Miller on October 12, 1939, the youngest of four children and the only boy. Rich grew up in Oxford, IN. He graduated from Oxford High School and attended the University of Michigan before transferring to the new Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) as a Founding Freshman.
Rich earned his MBA from Northwestern University and began a 50 year career in not-for-profit fundraising at the University of Miami. Committed to supporting education and the arts, he went on to provide development leadership at the University of the Arts (formerly Philadelphia College of Art), Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, and Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL. Rich had a robust consulting career with Shaver
and Co, and as principal of Richard G. Miller & Associates and Miller, Calhoun & Co. Notably, he was lead consultant for the rebuilding of Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts after a devastating fire nearly destroyed it. He was the first development director at the Miami Art Museum (formerly Dade County, Florida, Center for the Fine Arts). He retired as Vice President for Development at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.
Rich was a lifelong Presbyterian who served the church as a teacher, Deacon, Elder and Treasurer. He volunteered his time to youth programs and coached young basketball, baseball, and softball players. He mentored up-and-coming fundraisers and served on many volunteer boards. He was president of the Eckerd College Alumni Association for two years, and was a charter member of the Eckerd College Athletic Alumni Association. A scholar athlete, Rich lettered in basketball, baseball, golf, and track in college and was the first recipient of the E. W. Smith Memorial Award for Scholarship, Leadership and Athletics.
Rich met his wife of 56 years, Beth Miller, née Marshall, at Florida Presbyterian College. They were married in 1965 and were blessed with four children. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their son, Bill and his wife, Deborah Drum; their daughters Ann McElwain; Coy and her husband, Ian Decker; and Stacey Rutledge and her husband, Rick Wichmann. Rich leaves behind six grandchildren: Ruby and Graydon Miller; James and Zoe McElwain, and William and Shannon Wichmann. He was predeceased by his parents and two older sisters, Marilyn Young and Nancy McVicar. He is survived by his sister Barbara Rohm of Charlotte, North Carolina, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rich was called “the real deal,” “mensch,” and “the most ethical person I know” by his friends and colleagues. He was blessed with a keen sense of humor and a talent for making others the center of attention. Beth and Rich retired to Gainesville, FL, in 2012, where as members of the Gainesville Country Club they enjoyed meeting new friends, socializing over dinner, and Trivia Night. Rich enjoyed many golf outings with his buddies. He loved his family, his church, playing golf and bridge, solving puzzles, and watching football. He had a larger-than-life personality, making friends wherever he went. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Should you wish to honor his memory, the family encourages you to make a donation to the educational institution of your choice, or contribute to the Miller Family Endowed Scholarship for Athletics at Eckerd College. Online donations: https://www.Eckerd.edu/giving; A celebration of his life is planned for summer 2022. Due to Covid restrictions, there will be no public service at this time.