Steven W. Miller

Sun Prairie- Steven William Miller died unexpectedly on Monday, August 8, 2016 at the age of 66, due to natural causes, while visiting his daughter in Alaska. Steve was born September 1, 1949 in Lakewood, OH. His family then moved to Parma, OH where he grew up and excelled in athletics, especially baseball and basketball. His senior year culminated with an epic Cleveland Area High School Championship basketball game. Despite living in a sprawling urban environment, he became very interested in fish and wildlife management through reading sporting magazines about duck hunting and fishing. This sold him at an early age to pursuing a career in wildlife management. After graduating high school in 1967, Steve attended Utah State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Fish and Wildlife Management spring of 1971. He then attended Oklahoma State University and earned a Masters in Wildlife Ecology. In 1974 he was hired by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and began field training in Wisconsin Rapids, marking the beginning of what would become a remarkable 42-year career. In August of 1974 he transferred to Shawano to work as a game manager. In 1978 he successfu...[more]

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competed for his first wildlife supervisor position in Cumberland and subsequently won the Wildlife Manager of the Year award in 1982. He served as Area Director in Marinette from 1982 until 1984. He then ,was appointed as State Director of the Wildlife Management Program at the DNR headquarters in Madison. In 1992 he was promoted to Deputy Administrator of the Resource Management Division and expanded his oversight to include the forestry, wildlife, fisheries, facilities and lands, and endangered resources programs. After 5 years in that position he was appointed as the Resource Management Division Administrator and served from 1997 to 2003. Beginning in 2003 and until his retirement in 2015 he held the position of Director of the Bureau Facilities and Lands, overseeing the department's engineering, property management, real estate, capital development and master planning programs. Steve was also a national leader in conservation. He served as Wisconsin's representative to the Mississippi Flyway Council from 1985 to 1992. He also represented the Mississippi Flyway Council as a member of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council from 2002 to 2006. Steve served on the Board of Directors of the State Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) from 2007-2014. During his tenure with SOBA he served as Board president (2011-2012) and in 2014 he was awarded the "Outstanding Service Award" in recognition of his commitment to the organization's mission. His accomplishments and contributions to Wisconsin's treasured conservation and land programs are numerous. Highlights include proposing and overseeing the completion of the Land Legacy Report; Establishing partnerships that enabled the formation of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative; spearheading the restoration of the Whooping Crane; leading the Alternatives Funding Report; promoting "The Future of Hunting" program; championing and guiding the evolution of the Knowles Nelson Stewardship program. In The Gamekeepers: Wisconsin Wildlife Conservation from WCD to CWD by David l. Gjeston describes his influence as "committed to bringing a new, holistic management philosophy to the program as well as making an effort to make wildlife an integral part of peoples lives." In addition to the critters and programs he affected during his lifelong career he also hired and mentored numerous employees that went on to serve careers at the DNR, shaping outdoor recreation and natural resources management across the state. He was a friend and mentor to everyone he worked with at the DNR and took great satisfaction watching new employees grow into great careers, leading them every step of the way. In his personal life, Steve was a committed and adored father and grandfather. He enjoyed many activities, especially playing basketball, fishing, duck hunting, hiking, and traveling - often taking one of his daughters or grandchildren with him. He also was a prolific reader and enjoyed writing, always seeking to learn more and share knowledge. His four daughters learned responsibly, tenaciousness and determination from the unfailing example he set for them. Plus, he instilled in their hearts his incredible love for the outdoors. He will be lovingly remembered for his jovial nature, fierce work ethic, and unwavering integrity. He joined the Mormon faith in his early 20's, becoming a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints for the rest of his life. He served in many positions including Bishop, High Council member, Young Men's leader and as a beloved Sunday School teacher. His love for our Savior Jesus Christ sustained him and shone through in every facet of his life. Steve is survived by his four daughters; Marcela Schultz of Mount Horeb WI; Ginger Miller of Orem, UT; Debbie (Rick) Loerke of Deerfield, WI; and Kamicia Miller of Anchorage, AK; six grandchildren; and sister Linda (George) Dean of Parma, OH. He was preceded in death by parents William and Virginia Miller, and sister Lucy of Parma, OH. Services will be held Monday Aug 15, 2016 at the LDS chapel at 6651 Prairie View Dr, Sun Prairie WI. Visitation will be held from 9:30am to 11:00 am and a Memorial service starting at 11:00am. A luncheon will follow. Steve will be buried with a private ceremony in a special place overlooking the wild landscapes he loved so much and worked so hard to promote and protect for generations to come. To honor and keep Steve's legacy alive, a permanent endowment fund has been established with the Natural Resources Foundation to support the conservation of Wisconsin's lands, waters and wildlife. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family respectfully requests that a donation be made to the Steven W Miller Legacy Fund online at www.wisconservation.org/donate-now/. Please indicate that the gift is in memory of Steven Miller or send a check made out to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Attn: Steven W Miller Legacy Fund, PO Box 2317, Madison, WI 53701.