Andrew Miller, AP tech in 1940s, dies

Andrew Miller died on March 15, 2007, with his wife of 65 years, Charlotte, by his side. He was 88 years old.

Andy Miller was born Sept. 29, 1918, in Akron, Ohio, into a family of German-Hungarian immigrants. The youngest of three brothers and one sister, he went to high school and college in Akron, and worked as a Western Union courier and for the Associated Press at the Akron Beacon Journal. He was with the AP when he married Charlotte Barker on Dec. 4, 1941.

He was inducted into the Army Airways Communication System, Detachment 237, in September 1944. He served in Uxbridge, England, as a control tower operator and was honorably discharged at Camp Atterbury, Ind., in June 1946. He received the European Theater Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal; and the Victory Medal, World War II; and he was grateful to return safely home to his family at the end of the war.

In civilian life, Andy continued his career in air traffic control while supporting his growing family and rebuilding his home. He worked at Cleveland Hopkins Airport and Akron-Canton Airport, retiring June 30, 1973, with a celebration that honored his decades of service to the Federal Aviation Administration and the safe travels of millions of airline passengers.

He was methodical in his work, devoted to his friends and family, generous in his hospitality, boisterous in his laughter, secure in his position in life, and proud of all of those whose lives he touched.

Andy Miller was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Elizabeth Miller; brothers, Julius, Joe, and Geza, and his sister, Helen. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Miller of Ghent; sons, David (Roni), Jim (Joy), Paul (Annie), and Dennis (Beth); daughter, Carol Morison (Kyle); 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. SUNDAY at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., with Rev. Bill Meyer officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron, Ohio, 44333; or Ghent Christian Church, 4200 Granger Road, Akron, Ohio, 44333. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)
[The Beacon Journal,, Akron, OH, Friday, March 16, 2007, page B7, col. 3 ]