Robert L. Miller

Robert “Bob” Louis Miller, 80 of Brandywine, Maryland passed away peacefully at his home on July 8, 2024 after living with Alzheimer’s the last seven years.

Born, Robert Louis Morlando, on October 15, 1943 in Syracuse, New York to the late Elena Teresa Morlando, he was later adopted as a child by his late step-father, John Miller, and took his last name as his own and became his son, Robert Louis Miller.

He was known to many as Bob, Billy Bob to a few and Uncle Bob, Dad, Pops or Pop Pop to his loving family.

He moved to Brandywine with his young family and bought an old Victorian house circa 1915.  His family honored his wishes of wanting to remain in this home until his passing. 

As a young boy he had a love for building model cars and perhaps that is where his love and obsession over cars started.  As a teenager, he acquired a 1931 Ford Model A that he fully restored and showcased at many car shows over the years.  He also helped restore his friend’s Packard and several classic cars – a Chevelle, several Mustangs and a Camaro.  He also had a dream of finishing his own Packard.  As his illness progressed and his speech was limited, he never forgot how to say the word “Ford” as he would point them out and exclaim Ford! as you were driving down the road.

After earning his high school diploma, he eventually joined the Army.  He had a love for his country and was a proud American.  He would often be out and would take the time to shake the hands of other fellow Veterans thanking them for their service.  If you ever dared to engage him in a conversation about politics, wars, history or anything about cars you needed to be prepared for a lengthy conversation.  He had a lot to say about the things he was passionate about.

After the Army, he became a parts runner and later an Auto Body Technician over 50 years and at one time owned his own body shop.  If he wasn’t at work, you would often find him working on a project in his garage.  He was a hard worker with strong work ethic and didn’t let injuries or illnesses stop him from going to work every day.  He worked until he retired in his early 70s. 

He had a lot of animals over the years having rescued a few, including a late night black ops type of rescue of a neglected dog named Mo Mo, but his favorite dogs were his Jack Russell girls - Precious and Squirt.

He loved to read the paper, watch political channels, dinner with friends and family, enjoyed church, listening to Elvis music, adventures at the Hershey AACA Fall Meet, going on trips with his wife and family, and spending holidays with loved ones.  He enjoyed a good steak, on the rare side (maybe close to raw, lol), Napoli’s pizza, spaghetti and a good slice of coconut cake and ice cream.  Root beer became his drink of choice and it was the only thing that sustained him until his passing.  We will never look at a bottle of root beer the same.  One thing he was not a lover of was water.  If you know you know as he would often roll his eyes or get in a mood if you persuaded him to drink water.  A game of who could get him to drink water became a family challenge and gave us some good laughs.

The family wanted to mention how affectionate he was during his illness with Alzheimer’s, especially in his last months.  He would often pucker his lips to gesture a kiss from his wife, would plant a kiss on the cheeks of his loved ones, he loved to hold hands and to have his head or arm stroked.  His family would be in and out daily and his need for the human touch was something he wanted and he/we cherished those moments. 

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Brenda Fairgrieve Miller, who he married in 1989.

He is survived by his children, William “Billy” Miller, Sherri Gray (Gary) and Mark Miller.  In addition, he is survived by his eldest child, Dawn Raines, whom he was reunited with in 2015 and her children – Carley and Matt.  He is also survived by his sister, Angela “Ricka” Dugan (Mike), whom he helped raise.

He is survived by his grandchildren, Chris Hume, Chelsea Miller (Korey), Joshua Gray (Tiffany), Nicholas Gray, Cole Miller and Arden Miller.  His great-grandchildren, Cadence (Cady) Weaver, Kaleb Rounsavall and Jaxton Gray.  Former, daughters-in-law, Mary Lavinder Miller and Erica Golladay Miller who remained a part of his family.  He is also survived by his nephew Sean Dugan (Karol), niece Kelly Dugan-Penn (Clay) and a special niece Dawn Hoff-Borrazzo (Marie) whom he helped raise also.

The family will receive friends on Friday July 26, 2024 from 9 AM until service time at 10:45 AM at the Arehart-Echols Funeral Home (211 St. Mary’s Ave. LaPlata, MD 20646). Interment to follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery (11301 Robert S. Crain Hwy. Cheltenham, MD 20623).

Pallbearers will be Billy Miller, Mark Miller, Mike Dugan, Gary Gray, Josh Gray and Nick Gray. 

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Sean, Kelly, Dawn and sister-in-law Vicki Ford.

He was a member and Deacon of Brandywine Bible Church for many years and enjoyed serving his congregation.  We would like to thank Minister Charles and his wife Jannette for their spiritual visits and helping rescue us a few times with an extra set of hands.  Nothing would honor Bob more, than to make a donation in lieu of flowers to his church - Brandywine Bible Church, P. O. Box 82, Brandywine, MD 20613. 

Lastly, the family would like to thank his CNAs – Karen, Gertrude aka “Abby” from Hospice, a new found friend - Dessie and especially to Christina and Brittinie who cared for him and put in long hours to make sure his needs were met.  We couldn’t have done it without you, your support and the love, care and compassion you showed for him.  Our hearts are forever thankful.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at arehartechols.com

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