Remembering Wade's grandpa

This week brought sad news from home. Wade's grandpa passed away on Tuesday. It is news like this that I think all expats hope doesn't come - it is hard to miss out on the family times when they are most mundane, and when they are joyful...but especially lonely and sad to not "be there" in times like these.

Wade wrote of his grandpa for the eulogy...One of Grandpa's favorite stories is of a time when, driving from Sioux City to Salt Lake City, I informed him that once we reached Salt Lake, he wouldn't be boss any more. I emphasized this by getting right up to him and waggling my small index finger, and shook my head. I was corrected by my mom upon arriving home, when she told me that Grandpa was the boss of everyone in the family. Boss or not, I always looked up to him as a somewhat gruff, but kind and caring man. And while he often threatened to cut my hair like his, he never did. It didn't even matter that he made me mow his lawn a different direction every third day – he was paying me to cut his lawn like a golf course. Later in life, I have his guidance to thank for many things. I was able to apply his lawn mowing training when I worked as a greens-keeper at the local golf course. But more importantly, I was able to apply his wisdom on dealing with people as a matter ofprinciple. Grandpa always believed in treating people fairly. He was a man who could negotiate (as many of us remember him doing in the Stock Yards), but he had a reputation for being a fair trader and his integrity gained him respect by all who knew him (although there is still some question regarding his "luck" at cards). My fondest memories with him include going to the baseball games at the park in town and during the hot humid Sioux City nights, coming upstairs and sitting on his lap while Johnny Carson went through his monologues. He was the best Grandpa a boy could hope for and I am proud that he had such an influential role in my life.

Robert Miller
Jan. 13, 1921 - Oct. 23, 2007 Age: 86 Residence: Greeley
Tribute: Robert (Hack) C. Miller was born to Harold Hamilton and Irene Russell (Corbitt) Miller in LaHarpe, Ill. He graduated from Stronghurst High School in 1938 and was a former resident of Stronghurst, Ill.; Peoria, Ill.; Corning, Iowa; Sioux City, Iowa for 28 years; and Grand Junction for 17 years, moving to Greeley in November 2004. He joined the United States Navy and served from 1944 -1946. He was in the South Pacific during WWII and was in Japan when they surrendered. Upon returning, he became a livestock buyer for Wilson Company, retiring in 1982. Mr. Miller is a past member of the Lutheran Church in Stronghurst and the Methodist Churches in Corning, Sioux City and Grand Junction. Since moving to Greeley, he has been a member of the First United Methodist Church.
His greatest times were fishing, golfing, and playing cards with his sons, Bob and Bill. He also loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.He died Tuesday at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. Survivors: His wife, Doris Miller, of Greeley; two sons, Robert Nolen Miller and wife Diane of Greeley, and William Harold Miller and wife Connie of Orofino, Idaho; and six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by: His parents; and a sister, Betty Schaley.
Funeral Service: 1 p.m. Friday at the Allnutt Macy Chapel. Interment: Linn Grove Cemetery.
Notes: Contributions may be made to the North Colorado Medical Center Foundation in care of Allnutt Macy Chapel, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Please view online obituary and sign the family guest book at www.allnutt.com.

We'll miss you Grandpa.