Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

 

SBT 12/15/1972

 

Robert W. Miller

January 27, 1921 – December 15, 1972

 

Retired policeman dies at 51

 

Robert W. Miller, 51, of 141 S 29th St., a retired police officer, died at 3:25am today in Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.

 

Miller retired from the police force in November 1970 after more than twenty years of service.

 

Miller was best known for his educational programs, particularly the traffic education program and drug abuse projects.  He received many awards and accommodations during his career and was named the American Legion District 3 “Officer of the Year” in 1970.

 

Appointed to the South Bend Police Department on May 15, 1950, Miller served in every capacity of the Traffic Division.  In 1960, Miller, along with former Mayor Lloyd M. Allen, then city court judge, organized the Driver Improvement School.  The program is directed to youths who have been guilty of traffic violations and volunteer adults who desire to review driving regulations.

 

In addition to the school, Miller served as an advisor to the dangerous drug and narcotic referral center which had been established by the policy Community Relation Department.

 

As a rookie patrolman, Miller, a Marine reservist, was called to active duty in September 1950.  He served as a front-line medical and corpsman for eight and a half months in Korea. In addition, he served on Saipan and Tinian in the Pacific during World War II.

 

Miller was born January 27, 1921, in Rockford WA and had lived here most of his life.  On December 24, 1946, in South Bend, he married Ruth Bashore, who survives, along with two sons, Michael of South Bend and Kevin, at home.; his mother, Mrs. Blanche Miller of Mishawaka, two brothers, Richard of Osceola and Larry of Granger, and three sisters, Mrs. Charles Rice of South Bend, Mrs. George Heeter of Osceola and Mrs. Phyllis Schimmel of Mishawaka.

 

Friends may call form 7 to 9pm Saturday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm Sunday in the Forest G. Hay & Son Funeral Home, 435 S. Ironwood Dr.  Services will be at 10am Monday in the Cathedral of St James, Very Rev. Robert A. MacGill, pastor, Rev. Donald D. Dunn, canon and Gerald W. Raschke, officiating.  Burial will be in St Joseph Valley Memorial Gardens.