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Burton Tenney Miller
West Point, 1958
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Jack Downing on March 9, 2007:
This appeared in the Arizona Daily Star Burton T Miller, Jr, Colonel, USAF, Ret, died March 5, 2007 from esophageal cancer.
Born October 10, 1935 in Neosho, MO into a military family, Burt traveled the US and Europe. He graduated from Reno High in '53 and attended University of Nevada for a year where he was an SAE. He received an appointment to West Point and entered the US Air Force upon graduating in 1958. During his first flying post in CA in 1960 he met the love of his life, Diane Blumenfeld and they married in '61.
During his 33-year military career he flew the RC-121, O-1E, T-38, F-4, F-104, F-15 and other aircraft. Beyond flying he served in many staff positions and was Squadron Commander of the 69th and 188th TFS, Deputy Commander of Operations for TUSLOG DET10 and the 21st TFW and CINCPACREP. While serving his first tour in South East Asia he was a Forward Air Controller and during the second he flew F-4's with the 497th TFS. In between he found time to earn a MS in Systems Engineering from the AFIT and graduated from the NATO Defense College and Armed Forces Staff College. Over 12 years of BT's service was overseas including Vietnam, Thailand, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Australia. His military decorations included a Silver Star 1OLC, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross 1OLC, and other medals. He was also an honorary Command Pilot in the German Luftwaffe.
After retiring as a Colonel to Tucson 1988 BT became a full-time hunter, fisherman and world traveler, usually all at the same time. His adventures included frequent trips to Idaho, Montana, England, Germany and Africa as well as occasional trips to every corner of the US and the World including Russia, Mongolia and Argentina. He enjoyed active membership in the Daedalians, Rocky Mountain Oysters, Safari Club, NRA and other Hunting and Fishing groups. Another of Burt's many hobbies was to become an honorary Uncle to the children and grand children of friends. He also enjoyed fine wine, beer, food, clothing, art, music and plays. A very happy retirement was marred by the untimely passing of Diane in 1997, an event he never fully recovered from.
He is survived by sons Kurt Miller of Tucson, Eric Miller of Phoenix, sister Loretta Bolin of Fresno and Drahthaars Attila and Rupert of Tucson. BT adored his three grandsons Kurt Jr, Ben and Andrew and all of his nieces and nephews, official and un-official. He peacefully passed away in the company of his sons at the TMC Hospice. There was no better friend, husband, brother, father, uncle, mentor, hunter or warrior.
A funeral will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel in Fresno, CA at 1:00 p.m. on March 14th. A memorial will also be held in Tucson several days after the funeral. Remembrances may be made to: WP Class of 1958 Gift Fund Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Rd West Point NY 10996-1607.
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