John Robert Miller, age 90 of La Porte, IN, died at 9:55 P.M. Monday, February 25, 2013 at I.U. Health LaPorte Hospital.
He was born September 2, 1922 in Lafayette, IN, Son of Gustuv and Orme Craig Miller.
On June 15, 1947, in Lafayette, IN, he married Marjorie Vivian Calvert, who died on September 27, 2006.
Before coming to LaPorte, he played college basketball at both the University of Arizona and Purdue - sandwiched around WWII Marine and Navy Pilot terms. He played at both universities for two years - scoring 7.8 points per game at Purdue during the 1945-46 season - his junior year, which was good for ninth in the conference in scoring at the time.
He then spent some time coaching at Delphi High School before settling into the LaPorte coaching job for the 1953 season. He went 57-56 in his five seasons as head coach.
He was inducted into both the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1965 and the Arizona Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969.
After his coaching career finished, he worked his way up the teaching ladder through Principle of LaPorte High School until ultimately becoming the Superintendent of LaPorte Schools.
He was past president of the LaPorte Jaycees and Kiwanis Clubs, Past Exulted Ruler of the LaPorte Elks Club, Past President of Indiana Superintendent Society, member of the Presidents Council for Establishment of Purdue North Central. After retiring, Bob became a consultant for Fanning and Howie, a nationally recognized school architectural firm.
Surviving are son, John Lowell Miller and daughter-in-law, Victoria Martinsen of Seattle, WA; son, Dr. David Calvert Miller and daughter-in-law, Dr. Lovera Wolf Miller of LaPorte; son, Randall Robb Miller and daughter-in-law, Susan Elizabeth Polick Miller of Goshen, IN; granddaughter, Sasha Fay Miller Franger and grand-son-in-law, Steven Kash Franger, granddaughters, Brienna Ginelle Miller, Allison Martinsen Johnson, and Margaret Martinsen Johnson; one very great grandson, Wyatt Otto Franger; sister, Joy Keebler of Lafayette, IN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter, Mitzi Jane Miller who died in 1972, brothers, William and Alfred.
Friends will be received for visitation from 9 A.M. -12 P.M. on Friday, March 1, 2013 at the Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center , LaPorte, IN.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 P.M., Friday, March 1, at the Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Rev. Sally Wicks officiating.
Interment will follow in the Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, IN, with full military honor's conducted by the LaPorte Honor Guard.
Contributions may be made to the J. Robert and Marjorie Miller Teacher Advancement Fund, in care of The Unity Foundation, P.O. Box 527, Michigan City, IN 46361.
Friends may send condolences to www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.