Robert B. Miller, Jr.

Robert Branson Miller, Jr., 71, of Battle Creek, retired publisher of the Battle Creek ENQUIRER, died Monday, March 5, 2007 at Battle Creek Health System.

Bob was born August 10, 1935 in Battle Creek to Robert B. and Jean (Leonard) Miller, Sr.

He attended Fremont Elementary and later The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. He then entered Hamilton College in Clinton, New York leaving the school to serve two years in the U. S. Navy. He finished college at Michigan State University where he earned a degree in English.

Following his father's and grandfather's careers he became a third-generation newspaperman. He worked for various newspapers, including the Battle Creek ENQUIRER and Lansing STATE JOURNAL. His father owned the newspapers as part of Federated Publications which also included the Port Huron TIMES-HERALD in Michigan and several other community newspapers in the Midwest.

Federated also owned newspapers in the Northwest. Bob moved his family to Idaho where he became Assistant Publisher of the Idaho STATESMAN in Boise. He then became Publisher of the family-owned DAILY OLYMPIAN in Olympia, Washington in 1966 and later returned to Boise to become Publisher of the Idaho STATESMAN. Federated Publications was sold to the Gannett Corporation in 1971.

He returned to Battle Creek to take over publishing duties at the Battle Creek ENQUIRER when his father retired in 1979; a position he held until illness forced his retirement.

Miller was active in many community endeavors and continued the works of his family in the Battle Creek area through the Albert L. and Louise B. Miller Foundation which was established by Bob, Sr. and his sons, Bob, Jr. and Al in memory of Louise B. Miller. The first project of the foundation was the Miller Gymnasium and pool at Kellogg Community College. The Miller Foundation has been one of driving forces behind many of Battle Creek's developments over the years.

Bob was especially excited about the establishment of the Miller College in Battle Creek in 2005.

He was instrumental in bringing ice hockey to Battle Creek and helped build the Kellogg Arena which originally was an ice hockey venue. Miller brought one of the first U.S.-Russian hockey tournaments to Battle Creek and the United States in the final days of the Cold War.

He was active with and worked as a fund-raiser for many local charities including Big Brothers-Big Sisters, American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, United Way, Y-Center, Art Center of Battle Creek, Battle Creek Community Foundation and the Music Center of Battle Creek.

The present Health Enhancement Center at the Battle Creek Y-Center is named in honor of Miller.

Bob married Pattricia (Levitt) in 1979. She survives. Also surviving are sons, Gregory A. (Barbara) Miller of Englewood, Colorado and Jeffrey W. (Elizabeth) Miller of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; daughters, Melissa A. (Thomas) Boley of Ketchum, Idaho and Jennifer M. (William) Sullivan of Bethesda, Maryland; seven grandchildren and brother, Al Miller of Arrowsic, Maine; also surviving is stepson Brian (Eve) Gimmel of Boise, Idaho and two step granddaughters.

Friends may call from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Friday at Shaw Funeral Home where the family will be present from 3:00-8:00 p.m. A Vigil Service will take place at 8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 10th at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. John Fleckenstein and Rev. Fr. James O'Leary, officiating. Private interment in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation Scholarship Fund, 61 N. 23rd St., Battle Creek, MI 49015 or Senior Health Partners for the Bob Miller, Jr. Parkinson Fund, 200 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017.

The family is being served by:

www.shawfuneralhome.com