Richard Lawrence Miller Sr. was born on June 7, 1924 in Minneapolis, MN to Leonard and Doris (Feeley) Miller. At the age of twelve Richard moved to Fairmont and was raised by his aunt and uncle, Helen and Henry Struck. He graduated from Fairmont High School in 1942. In 1943, Richard joined the Navy and served during WWII. While in the military people started calling him “Red” and he would use the name the rest of his life. He was an Aviation Ordinanceman Second Class and was discharged in 1946. In 1946, Richard attended Gustavus Adophus College in St. Peter, MN and earned a teaching degree in 1951.
On June 19, 1949, Richard was united in marriage to Carol Greupner at Elk River Lutheran Church in Elk River, MN. To this union the couple was blessed with three children, Richard Jr., Frederick and Barbara. In 1951, Richard started his teaching career in Tracy, MN. He received a Master’s Degree in Education in 1958 through South Dakota State University. Richard started as Superintendent in Mazeppa, MN in 1959. He worked in schools in Le Center in 1961, Breckenridge from 1966 – 1969, and was Assistant Superintendent in Mankato from 1970-1976. In 1976, they moved to Elbow Lake where he retired from the Superintendent’s position in 1986. Richard and Carol moved into the Senator in Alexandria in 2010.
Richard was an avid golfer and loved living on the 18th green on the Tipsinah Mound Golf Course in Elbow Lake. He enjoyed being the “unofficial” ranger of the golf course making sure everyone played by the rules. Richard also enjoyed pheasant hunting, reading, and gardening. He was a member of the Rotary, Kiwanas, and Golden K’s.
Richard died on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Bethany Home in Alexandria, MN at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife, Carol of Alexandria; Richard (Gail) Miller Jr. of Olivia; Frederick (Mary LaCugna) Miller of Seattle, WA; daughter, Barbara (Paul) Fagerberg of Plymouth; grandchildren, Rachel and Meghann Miller, Sarah and Andrew Miller, and Chris and Eric Fagerberg; brother-in-law, Milton Greupner of Mesa, AZ; and many nieces and nephews. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Doris; foster parents, Helen and Henry Struck; brother, Warren Miller; and sister, Natalie Owens.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 23, 2015 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials are preferred to the West Central Area Dollars For Scholars Program.
West Central Area Dollars for Scholars
301 County Road 2
Barrett, MN 56311
Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, MN.