Roger Marvin Miller

A celebration of life and farewell for Roger Miller, who passed away peacefully at the age of 86 at his home in Felton, will be held on September 19th at the Campfire Center at Big Basin Redwoods State Park from 2 to 4 pm. Roger began his teaching career in Tracy, California and moved on to the Bay Area teaching and coaching at Terra Nova High School. The 33 years of his career as a teacher/ coach, he and Carol made their home in South San Francisco. For fifteen summers he worked as a Park Naturalist at Pfeiffer Big Sur and Big Basin Redwoods State Parks great places to spend their summers and raise their three children. An article published by the Valley Press, written by Richard "Max" Mobley, who remembered him fondly from his days as a park ranger at Big Basin, called him, "Ranger Roger", and said he made the best campfires ever. In 1989 Roger retired and he and Carol found a lovely spot in the Redwoods of the San Lorenzo Valley where the sign over their door reads, "Back Home". Roger was a well-known civic minded citizen of the Valley. The rebuilding of Felton Community Hall after the disastrous fire in 1990 played a major role in the Millers' lives, with Roger being president and Carol being treasurer of the Board. Roger also became a driver for the Volunteer Center, where he was the favorite because he took special care to make sure clients got to and from their appointments safely. Roger was a devoted member of the Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew, and leaves many friends and colleagues who shared his love for the San Lorenzo Valley and the people who live there. A self-professed bakery and ice cream aficionado, there was not a bakery or ice cream shop in the area that Roger couldn't find easily. Many fond memories will always be cherished of Roger serving ice cream at the annual Mountain Parks Foundation Lobster Feed. Roger is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol Miller of Felton, his sons and daughters-in-law: Ron and Susan Miller of San Bruno and Dave and Sande Miller of Carson City, NV. He also leaves his loving daughter and son-in-law, Holly and Bill Wettingfeld of Dawsonville, Georgia, and a host of loving extended family members including his niece and caregiver, Gail MacLaughlin and her husband Sean. Any kind acts of charity can be made in his memory to Mountain Parks Foundation or Alzheimer's Research.