Robert Edward Miller, our loving husband, brother, father, papa, uncle, brother-in-law and best friend to many, left us on July 2, 2020 at the age of 73. Robert was surrounded by the strength and love of his family who will miss him dearly.

Robert was born in Arcata to Byron “Barney” and Grace Miller. Together, they raised Robert and his sister Sherry in the Jacoby Creek Valley where he attended Jacoby Creek School and Arcata High School. Robert continued to live on Jacoby Creek Road where he too raised his family.

Robert was raised in a timber industry family. On January 6, 1966 he, like his father, began his career working at Arcata Redwood Company. He had a passion for the outdoors and absolutely loved working in the woods. He began as a choker setter and worked his way up in the company, retiring in March of 2010 after 44 years as the California Northern Area Timber Operations Manager for Green Diamond Resource Company. Robert was a master at running equipment.

Through the years, he thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working with each employee and consequently, made many lifelong friends while working in Klamath. In 2013, he was honored to receive the Redwood Region Logging Conference Achievement Award.

Robert played as hard as he worked. In his earlier years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles with his friends in the Far West Motorcycle Club. Hunting was also something he looked forward to every year. He spent each weekend of hunting season making memories with his family and friends at the cabin on Grouse Mountain or on the Wiggins Ranch in Maple Creek. But truth be known, his favorite hobby was spent alongside his wife, Kathy, planning and calculating their next building or remodeling project. There was never a project too big for Robert and those who knew him well knew he did his best work with his favorite tool: a chainsaw!

Robert leaves behind his loving family; beloved wife Kathy, son Tad (Kelly), grand-daughters Sydney and Grace, son Darl (Megan), sister Sherry Griffith (Dayton), Father-in-law Pete McAtee, Brother-in-law Dale McAtee (Rita), Sister-in-law Diane Utley (Jeff), and many nieces and nephews, who will all miss his presence during Thanksgiving in Greenville, family ATV rides in the hills, Christmas tree hunting, pool time in Willow Creek, hunting and his amazing smile and laugh.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Rydz, Dr. Husband, Dr. Cataldo, Dr. Fellows, St. Joseph Oncology Center, Hospice of Humboldt and the many friends who stood by his side during this long battle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Humboldt or the American Cancer Society.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life to be held on August 1, 2020 beginning at 3 p.m. at 3671 Jacoby Creek Road, Bayside. This event will be held outdoors with options to physically distance yourself and masks are encouraged for the safety of others. The family will bedoing what they can to limit your risk and understand each person must evaluate their decision to attend.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Robert Miller’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.