Robert Dean Miller

Robert Dean Miller, 78, from Florence, AZ, formerly Melba, ID went to his heavenly Father on January 15, 2023 after a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

On Christmas Day, December 25, 1944, John Wilson Miller and Virgynia Vink Miller of Melba, Idaho were blessed with a son Robert Dean Miller (Bob).  He was baptized in the Melba Community Baptist church.

Bob graduated from Melba High School in 1963.  He was active in sports and talented in music.  He attended University of Idaho one year and in 1968 graduated from Boise College as their first social worker.

Bob was previously married to Vicki Otto and later Donna Elliott and divorced.

Robert helped on the large family farms and ranches in Melba and Owyhee County where he worked hard farming, raising cattle, irrigating, and remodeling his first car, a 1930 Model A Ford.

He did social work in Pocatello ID and Boise nearly ten years.  He then began farming for over 35 years in Melba raising seed crops and helping John Miller raise cattle on the ranches at Meadow
Creek, Boulder Creek, and surrounding areas.   He spent the last ten years working at A & R Case Management as an Intensive Behavioral Interventionist with autistic children until his retirement in 2016.

Bob was an accomplished musician who played saxophone, bass guitar and other instruments.  While entertaining at Hoots Café in Whitebird ID he met a banjo player and a year later married June Plush from Kuna, ID.  They spent over 20 years playing music together at the Community Baptist church in Melba, with the Kelly and Friends Band, had the Bob Miller Band of Idaho and entertained throughout the Treasure Valley.  He played saxophone in the Paradons Band and bass guitar with the Alligators Band earning his way through college.

Robert served on the Melba School board, was President 3 years for the Melba Valley Historical Society, and was active in the local Baptist Church.  He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution,  Nampa #2103 Aerie & Auxiliary of the Eagles,  Melba Outlaws car club, Gem State Fiddlers, Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers, Boise Banjo Band and more.

Bob was a loving, caring hard working person who gave his best to all he met.  He will be greatly missed and remembered for his music, knowledge, and love of history and always a story or tall tale to tell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Diana Vee Woodward; daughter Ramie Tyson Miller and step daughter Kimberly Grijalva.  He is survived by his wife June Miller; brother Stephen Miller (Jacque);  sisters Vickie Jansson; Susan (Eric) Robbins; step children George Marc Harrison, Michael Grijalva; T.J. Miller; Shannon (Dave) Roesch; Pamela (Ren) Reyes; Michael Grenz; and granddaughter Miranda Reyes.  Also numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Special thanks to all who helped with the medical needs and care before Robert’s passing.

Services will be held January 27, 2023 at Alsip and Persons Funeral chapel, 404 10th Ave S in Nampa, ID at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Melba Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Melba Community Baptist Church, Melba Valley Historical Society, Owyhee County Historical Society, the ALS Association, or your favorite charity.

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