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Dr. Charles Harner Miller
Celebration of his life to be held at 2:00pm, August 23 at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
Dr. Charlie, as he was fondly called by the folks of the Shenandoah Vally, died Saturday, August 16, 2008 from complications with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Charles Harner Miller was born to Phyllis Harner Miller and Clifford Devere Miller on July 2, 1937 in Charlottesville, VA, where he was reared with his brother Donald. He attended the University of Virginia for his undergraduate studies then went on to graduate from UVA's School of Medicine. It was in the hospital cafeteria where he met and fell in love with his wife, Elizabeth and married in 1965. He interened at the University of Kentucky Medical Center followed by four years of general surgery residency at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, TX. He served in the Army until 1973 when the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley called to him and he relocated his family to Edinburg, VA. Although he loved the rural life, he felt stirred to serve his country again. He signed up for active duty with the Air Force in 1977 only to be lured back to the Valley four years later by his yearnings for the country life. In 1985, Charlie grew restless again and for one last military hurrah he served in the Air Force as Director of the Emergency Room at Eglin AFB in Florida, then as Hospital Commander at Hahn AFB in Germany and back to Eglin as Hospital Commander. It was in 1995 that the Blue Ridge Mountains beckoned him one last time to come back and take care of her folks whom he so dealry loved. Charles retired with the rank of Colonel, USAF MC and picked up his doctor's bag and moved to Bryce Mtn Ski Resort in Basye, VA where he served his people as family doctor, general surgeon, volunteer at the Shenandoah Free Clinic and Rockingham Free Clinic and as medical coordinator of the county rescue squads.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Simmons Miller, RN and six children, Clifford Miller of Greeneville, TN Lisa Byard, of Dawsonville, GA, Michael Miller of Marietta, GA, Kari Lamb of Charlottesville, Lelia Stone also of Marietta, GA and David Riffey of Mauertown, VA, their husbands and wives and about twenty natural, foster, or adopted grandchildren. His brother, Donald Miller and wife, Sally live near their three children in Norfolk, VA.
Dr. Charlie was never happier than when he was caring for other people and enjoying his large family. He never refused care to those who could not pay, often accepting farm produce, baked goods and even chickens back in the 70's and by volunteering his services at the Free Clinics in the more recent years. His children will remember his compassion, kindness, lack of prejudice, and empathy along with his corny sense of humor, goofy made-up songs, kissing each flower he planted, and tent camping in 100 degree weather at Oregon Inlet at the Outer Banks. His granchildren will remember the fishing trips by the Meems Bottom Covered Bridge, fireworks on the Fourth of July on the ski slopes at Bryce, and homemade peppermint ice cream. His friends will remember the jovial parties, wrapping him in toilet paper and singing by the piano or campfire. Hopefully his beloved friends and patients will share stories for years to come of how much he touched each of their lives and will tell of the country doc who made house calls to those too ill to leave their homes. His wife of forty-three years will continue to let Shadow, Charlie's cat, back inside the house each night to sleep in a very un-cat-like manner wherever the cat so chooses to lie. And the family will continue to live just as he would want them to, loving one another and enjoying each day for what it has to offer.
A celebration of life will be held at Kyger Funeral Home, 3173 Spotswood Trail, (off of Rt. 33 East), Harrisonburg, VA, Saturday, August 23 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The family hopes that many of his friends will be able to come share fond memories of Charlie's impact on their lives. In lieu of flowers, a small donation in Dr. Charlie's memory to the Shenadoah Free Clinic, Rockingham Free Clinic, a fire and rescue squad near you, or other charity would be most appreciated.
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