Fredrick Miller

Fredrick (Fred) E. Miller, age 81, of Sunrise Beach, MO, died September 12, 2022, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, IA, after a vigorous fight against multiple cancers. Fred was born March 1, 1941, in Marshalltown, IA, to Ray & Rosemary Miller. The second of seven children, Fred grew up in Leavenworth, KS. He worked at his father's drugstore, delivering prescriptions on his motor scooter. He occasionally escaped across the street from home to play on the Missouri river bank, once bringing a new hobo friend home for dinner. Following graduation from Immaculata Catholic High School, Fred attended his freshman year at Notre Dame, then transferred to the University of Kansas with an NROTC Scholarship, and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He and his Phi Kappa Theta fraternity brothers have remained the best of friends for a lifetime, and enjoyed many gatherings over the years. He met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Boots, during those college years . The two married on February 9, 1963, and went directly to Pensacola, FL, where Fred attended Naval Flight School. Along with firstborn daughter, Lisa, the family was soon stationed in San Diego, and Fre...[more]

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as based at Miramar Naval Air Station. Second child, Mindy, was born as LTJG Miller headed off for several tours in Vietnam, piloting an F-4C Phantom off the USS Constellation (the Connie). Upon his safe return, the family moved to Lawrence, KS, where Fred pursued his MBA. All finally headed back to San Diego where son Brandon, was born. Fred joined Arthur Young & Co. as a CPA. Many bright memories were made in California - dear friends, church, home, beach camping and travel adventures (many in a VW Westphalia). During that time Fred served as President of the regional chapter of the National Association of Accounting (NAA), and taught single-engine flight pilots. Church leadership and community were a big part of life for the family at the Mission San Diego de Alcala. Fred left AY to join Monitor Labs, a cutting-edge environmental company. Then another opportunity presented itself . . . taking over his Dad's partnership in the first Iowa Pizza Hut franchise. Ames, Iowa was a vibrant chapter in Fred's business community life. He served at various times as president for the Ames Rotary Club, the Ames Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of Story County. He was a part of the team that helped found the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau. His business and civic leadership achievements were recognized with several awards, including Small Business Person of the Year and Mid-Iowa's Citizen of the year. He and Barb were dedicated members of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church. His personal credo was to give back, and share with others how to do that. Fred and Barb followed dear friends and family tradition south to the Lake of the Ozarks, and began their final chapter of retired life. Membership at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Laurie, life at Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach, MO, and winters in Naples, FL, were all sources of cherished friends and neighbors. Nearing the end, Fred asked to relocate back to Ames, to rest and retreat at Israel Family Hospice House, for which he was a founder in the 1990's. His beloved caregiver (and Barb's as well) packed and drove him from Sunrise Beach to Ames on August 22, 2022. In his three short weeks there he managed to fit in a lot of life, including visits from family and old Ames friends, and the wedding of his eldest daughter. The whole family is grateful for the outpouring of love. Fred is survived by his three children, Lisa Johnson, Mindy Miller and Brandon Miller; grandchildren Fiona and Johnny; and five of his siblings: Marilyn Carney, Nancy Moran, Peggy Miller, Neill Miller and Linda Brugman. And his and Barb's beloved dog, Max. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Ann Miller, and sister Barbara Miller. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on October 28, 2022, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Leavenworth, KS, with burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Any gifts in memory of Fred can be made to a charitable organization of your choosing. He would love that. Online Condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com