Robert Miller

Robert W. Miller, age 71, of Faribault, MN, passed away Friday, May 8, 2020 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis following an extended illness.

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, private services for the immediate family only will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault, with Rev. Elden Eklund officiating.  Interment will be at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault, with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.

All are welcome to watch the memorial service on the live stream link found on Bob’s obituary page on www.ParkerKohlFuneralHome.com

Robert Wayne, the son of John H. and Carmel E. (Joachim) Miller was born on December 12, 1948 in Faribault.  He graduated from Faribault High School with the class of 1967.  Bob married his high school sweetheart, Sheryl Duckett on March 21, 1970 at the First English Lutheran Church.  They recently just celebrated 50 years of marriage.  Following high school, he furthered his schooling at Mankato State University.  Bob dedicated himself to military service for seven years.  For two summers he participated in Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. In 1971 he was commissioned at 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Captain.  He served as a helicopter pilot and was released from active duty in 1976.  Bob was an active member of the American Legion Post 43.  He served as Past Commander and was a member of the 40 & 8, an elite organization associated with the American Legion Post 43.  He volunteered for many Legion activities, including the Memorial Day Program, 4th of July Events, Rice County Fair food stand, and Veterans Day.  He also was a member Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1562, and was a very active member of the Marine Corps League.

Bob worked many years as a software engineer, working for Telex Communications, ADC Telecommunications, and with Honeywell in their Military Avionics Division.  He then worked in the Information Technology Department for Rice County and finished his working career as a self-employed carpet installer.

His lifelong hobby was constructing model airplanes.  Bob loved the outdoors and enjoyed caring for his vegetable garden, hunting and fishing.  He was a great cook and baker, and could fix most anything, especially electronics, computers, TVs and cars.  He would often lend a hand to help others.  Bob enjoyed watching the birds outside his window and would often tell any visitors at their dining room table to “not scare my birds.”  At any time of the year, he was also known for reminding his guests to “now don’t slip on the ice!”  Bob and his family were all great lovers of dogs.  They often would take in some of the family’s dogs.

He is survived by his wife, Sheryl Miller of Faribault; son, Wayne (Alisha) Miller of Faribault; siblings, Carmen (James) Schablitsky of Lakeville, MN, John (Teresa) Miller of Faribault, Marilyn (Daniel) Bongers of Owatonna, MN, Tom (Linda) Miller of Portland, OR, Gordy (Becky) Miller of Faribault, and James (Kay) Miller of Fergus Falls, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela “Angie” Miller on July 7, 2006; and his parents, John and