Rupert Miller, Jr. Obituary (1922

Rupert W. 'Rupe' Miller Jr., 93, died peacefully on March 11, 2016 at the VA Hospice, Togus, Maine, surrounded by family. Rupe was born on May 28, 1922 in Lewiston, Maine, the eldest son of Rupert W. and Ava (Cornish) Miller. While still in high school, he worked on the Liberty Ships in South Portland as part of the war effort. After graduation from Lewiston High School in 1940, he entered the University of Idaho in Moscow. He was drafted into the U.S Army in 1942, and following training at Camp White, Ore., served in WWII in Algeria (N. Africa), Italy, Slovenia, and Yugoslavia. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant while serving in the 5th Army, 91st Division, where he led the 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Anti-Tank Co., 361st Infantry Regiment. He earned a Bronze Star which was awarded many years later in a ceremony in Winthrop in 2014. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Idaho, where he met and married Mary Olson. He re-entered the University of Idaho, graduating in 1947. Following graduation, he taught at Lewiston High School, and then taught history at Westfield High School in Westfield, N.J, retiring in 1975. He had purchased land on Camper's Point, Maranacook Lake, where he bought a summer cottage sight unseen because it had an indoor flush. The family always loaded up their station wagon on the last day of school and headed from New Jersey to Maine for the summer. He built a boat, and the three girls, Vicki, Liz, and Cindy all became competitive water skiers thanks to Rupe's drill sergeant approach to their daily practice. Rupe was active in athletics, including playing on the Lewiston High School State Championship football team in 1939, under legendary Maine Hall of Fame Coach Henry Shanahan. While at Westfield High School, he coached basketball, and was the videographer for the varsity football team. After retiring to Maine, he was active in the Hillandalers Snowmobile Club in Winthrop, and played for many years in the Central Maine Senior Golf League. He was an excellent carpenter, and also an accomplished artist. His paintings adorn many family member's homes. Rupe was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Mary (Olson) Miller, and brothers Norm ('Bud'), and Peter. He is survived by his brother Bob, of Simi Valley, California; daughters Victoria Karter, of Winthrop, Elizabeth Hanley and husband Richard, of Fort Myers, Florida, and Cynthia Uhouse and husband David, of Winthrop; six grandchildren, Jason Hanley and wife Renee of Falmouth, Daniel Hanley and wife Jen of Bellingham, WA, Nathan Hanley of Naples, FL, Seth Karter and wife Kate of South Dennis, MA, Jonathan Uhouse and fiance Jennifer Makahusz of Concord, NH, Rachel Bova and husband Mike of Westbrook; ten great-grandchildren, Jonah, Scott, Caitlyn, Makalya, Teddy, Ben, Sadie, Emma, Sawyer, and Tucker; several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Ann McKenna for several years of home care support and friendship, and the staff of the Capt. Lewis House in Gardiner, where Rupe lived prior to entering the VA Hospice. Many thanks to Dr. James Schneid and the staff of the VA Hospice and Palliative Medicine program for their brief but compassionate care during Rupe's final hours. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, March 15 from 12 to 2 PM at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, followed immediately by a memorial celebration at 2:00. A private burial with full military honors will take place at New Valley Cemetery in Greene, Maine at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Captain Lewis Residence, 270 Maine Ave., Farmingdale, Maine 04344. Attn: Kym Dolley Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.