Robert Miller

ROBERT DOUGLAS MILLER47 of Elburn, IL, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Friday afternoon, April 23, 2004 at Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge. A competitor of the highest order, Bob fought and won, against malignant Melanomas that attacked his brain. When tumors recently invaded his colon, Bob was forced to relinquish his exhausted body and answer what he and his wife Judy had begun believe, could only be a "higher calling" from his Lord and Savior. Bob’s life, this side of heaven, was like that. Just when it seemed his career was on track, things changed, and Bob had to move on. Amazingly, each new "assignment" held experiences and opportunities that prepared Bob for the next. The end of one road was always the beginning of another. Bob’s life began simultaneously with his twin brother, David, on March 24, 1957 in Ridgewood New Jersey. The family made their home in Radburn, N.J, until 1969 when they moved to Naperville, IL. Following graduation from Naperville Centeral High School in 1975, he went on to Knox College and later earned his masters degree from the American Graduate School of International Management, "Thunderbird". He played football from fourth grade through college and wrestled through high school and college. Measured in pounds, Bob was a lightweight, but his determination and cunning allowed him to "pancake" opponents that seriously outweighed him. In life, Bob was no lightweight either. Although he never talked about himself or his success, his work won the respect and admiration of allies as well as adversaries in both government and industry.. On August 9, 1980, Bob married Judith Helen Heitman and a truly "dynamic duo" was formed. When it came to ability and determination, Judy was no "lightweight" herself, but her greatest joy was sharing Bob’s dreams. Those dreams took them from Bob’s early years working for then Governor Thompson in Springfield, to Washington DC where Bob was a congressional legislative aid. In 1984, his journey took he and Judy to Brussels, Belgium. where Bob was an Industrial Recruiter for the State of Illinois. Bradley and Rebecca, their "Brussel Sprouts" were born there, Rebecca being the first girl born into the Miller family in 150 years; a fact Bob was proud to applaud. Accordingly, Bob, the master story-teller and created fairy tales where his children were thinly disguised as Knight-in-training and Princess. He gave and received enthusiastic hugs and loved playing and swimming with is children. While overseas, Bob became Chairman of the Republicans abroad and was honored by then president George Bush for raised more money abroad than anyone at a single gala event. In 1990 Governor Thompson recruited Bob to open a Canadian office for the state of Illinois. It was a post Bob loved but shortly, political shifts returned Bob to Chicago where he found his next "assignment" as director of sales for a Chinese Import Company With them, Bob traveled the world before moving on to a Northbrook based cross cultural training company until 1997 when he took a position as Director of International Services with ComPsych, an employee benefits company.Bob and Judy moved to Elburn in the early nineties and almost immediately, Bob became involved in the community. Serving on the Elburn Planning Commission. and Chairing the School Referendum, Bob’s skills and passion for "community" helped guide healthy growth. He was also involved in scouting with Troop 7 and very active and committed to the Community Congregational Church. Bob was also a friendly neighbor who enjoyed the simple pleasure of walking the dog and greeting folks up and down the street.Bob also loved to cycle. He competed in triathlons and was remarkably fit, yet in November of 2001, this vibrant man was struck down when emergency surgery was needed to remove a huge brain tumor. Eight successive brain surgeries were met with both courage and humor and each required a new series of baseball caps, sent from friends the world over. Through it all, Bob’s true colors shone through. He was an incredible husband, father, son, brother, friend and man of faith. SURVIVORSIn addition to his wife, Judy, he is survived by two children, Bradley and Rebecca, all of Elburn;his father, Joseph Collins Miller Jr. of Arcadia, IL;three brothers and their families: Steven (Sue) of Columbus OH (and their sons: Stephen and Mark.)Collins (Candy) of Pontiac, IL (and their sons Ryan and Adam)David (Cecilia) of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (and their son, Nathan) Nathanhis mother-in-law, Myrtle Heitman, and a family of good friends. PRECEDEDHe is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy McMillan Miller. and very recently, his father-in-law, Donald Heitman.MEMORIALSA memorial fund to benefit Bob’s children, has been established….P.O. Box 66.

SERVICESFriends and family from all over the world will gather in person, in prayer and in memory, Monday afternoon, April 26 at 4pm at the Community Congregational Church, Elburn, IL to remember Bob’s life here and to celebrate in faith, the new life he has been given by Grace. A brief memorial visitation will precede the service from 2:30-4pm, allowing friends from the many facets of Bob’s life, to meet and to share. The Rev. Katherine Lawes, friend and pastor will officiate.

Following cremation, private family committal services will later be held.