Johnny Miller, Gone West

[airknocker]

Aviation icon dies at 102
June 23, 2008


Aviation icon and Poughkeepsie resident John Miller was pronounced dead this morning at Vassar Brother Medical Center. He was 102.

Miller's daughter, Trish Taylor, said Miller died from natural causes after spending two night at the hospital.

"He was aware that he wasn't what he used to be and it really annoyed him," Taylor said. "He had a health fetish and he always ate right. He never took prescription medication until the very end."

Miller, who began flying when he was 18, was an active participant in this country's aviation history. He and Emilia Earhart were acquaintances and he witnessed Charles Lindbergh take off for his history-making, nonstop New York to Paris flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.

Three of the airplanes Miller has flown are exhibited at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.; and he was the first to land an aircraft on the roof of a building -- an autogiro, the precursor of the helicopter. Miller was a test pilot during World War II and retired in 1965 as an Eastern Airlines pilot.

Taylor said Miller made his last flight about two years ago. She said Miller's last words were made to his nephew.

"He said 'I guess my flying days are over'," Taylor said.

Taylor said her family is planning a private memorial service and that Miller did not want a traditional funeral.

Instead, the family is following through with Miller's request to have his body donated to the Anatomy Gifts Registry.

"It was his way of being modest," Taylor said. "He wanted his body donated to science."

Poughkeepsie Journal

[AAC Cadet Leader]

my sincere condolences to johnny's family.

this is very sad news for me. johnny was a dear friend. in 1988 he flew from poughkeepsie in his bonanza to pick me up at steve pitcairn's airfield in robbinsville, new jersey and flew me all the way up the hudson river to meriden, connecticut. at that time he was 84 (i think).

we communicated frequently by e-mail and telephone in the last five years.

i called him just three days ago and got no answer. figured he was taking his daily walk around the town.

he always inspired me with his great attitude and his proclaimation of being "in vigorous, good health!"

i will miss him. airknocker, thank you for letting us know.

[Gwen]

Here is a photo of Johnny Miller with Christine, me and Bill at ORA taken about 2000-2001:

[Gwen]

Here is a photo of Johnny with the cast of characters; Shannon, Dave, Nicole, and myself at ORA in 2002:

[airknocker]

Timeless Voices
Link to EAA Timeless Voices interview with Johnny.

[Gwen]

Some links to Johnny Miller

Here is a link regarding Johnny Miller. AOPA Online: Aviation pioneer Johnny Miller dies at 102

This is another short one: Aviation Icon John Miller Dies

This is a long but interesting talk by him Dutchess Co. Pilot's Association - Capt. John Miller

[airknocker]

Capt. John Macdonald Miller
POUGHKEEPSIE - Capt. John MacDonald Miller, 102, a legendary local aviator whose career spanned more than 80 years, died Monday, June 23 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Born Dec. 15, 1905 in Poughkeepsie, he was the son of Theodore and Florence MacDonald Miller, and was educated locally, graduating from the Oakwood Friends School and Pratt Institute. On June 18, 1933, he married Katherine Sague, who died July 2, 1963. His second wife, Dr. Edith Mead Miller, died April 18, 1991. He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Sague Taylor and Joanne MacDonald Miller, both of Poughkeepsie; nine grandchildren, Robin Moore of the Town of LaGrange; Amy Bender, Los Angeles, CA; Erik Bender and Rhys Bender, Nantucket, MA; Matthew Bender, Cardiff, CA; Diana Moore, Oyster Bay, NY; Lisa Faulkenberry, Bakersfield, CA; Lana Schlict, St. Petersburg, FL; John Aaron Miller, Sun Prairie, WI; eleven great-grandchildren, Ryan and Shannon Moore; Oliver and Emmae Bender; Autumn Bender-Roncari; Joseph, Alicia and Justin Faulkenberry; Tatum, Hannah and Brooke Schlict; and John Austin Miller; a niece, Marnie Ceporius, Arcadia, CA; and a nephew, Tony Penrose, Chiddingly, Suffex, England. He was predeceased by his son, John Sague Miller; brother, Erik Miller, and sister, Lee Miller Penrose. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the John M. Miller Memorial Aviation Scholarship, c/o the Dutchess Community College Foundation, 53 Pendell Rd., Poughkeepsie NY 12601; or the ABS Air Safety Foundation & Endowment Fund. Arrangements under the direction of Robert H. Auchmoody Funeral Homes Inc., 16 S. Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie.

Published on June 25, 2008.

[baldeagle]

Little known (by airplane types) fact: Johnny's sister Lee was a very famous model, photographer, and war correspondant, who knew Picasso, Hemmingway, and many others.

Lee Miller Archives




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