Dave Miller, 87 of Winter Park, Florida passed away December 27th, surrounded by his loving family. The only son of Clarence and Clara Miller, he grew up in Palisades Park, New Jersey until he attended college at Columbia University. Dave often told the story of receiving his first chemistry set at the age of three, and knowing from that time on that his passion would always be in that field. While he was working on his Master's degree in Chemistry at the University of Maryland, he met his beautiful wife, Rita Sue. After their marriage in 1959, they lived in Gainesville, while Dave earned his Doctorate in Analytical Chemistry and Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florida.

Dave returned to Greenbelt Maryland where he and Rita Sue raised their two children Paul and Cheryl. He was dedicated to his work at American Instrument Company as his primary interests were in manufacturing scientific instrumentation. In his free time… oh, how he loved photography... his favorite past time was taking pictures of his family and he had a real eye for capturing the wonders in nature. For ten years, Dave enjoyed accompanying his daughter to the National Debutante Cotillion of Washington DC, where he cultivated many lasting friendships.

In 2000, Dave moved to Winter Park, Florida, where he did not retire, but continued to work the rest of his life as a consultant with New Horizons Diagnostics in Maryland. His beloved wife, Rita Sue, was sure to keep him busy in many community events, organizations, and activities with their grandkids. Enjoying the different playhouses and being an active member of the University Club, the German American Society, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was certainly a highlight of his life. After Rita Sue, his wife of 55 years passed, perhaps his favorite weekly activity was attending Winter Park Presbyterian Church…each Sunday filled with worship, positivity and encouragement, and meaningful friendships.

Dave felt grateful to have Paul and Cheryl living nearby and truly valued time spent with them. Dave is adored by his three grandchildren, Pierce, Corbin and Lexington who loved to share new technology and interesting current events with him. It was their honor to accompany him to church every week and spend the day with him. Dave will always be remembered for having a deep love for all animals, especially dogs. The Lake Baldwin Dog Park was certainly his most favorite outdoor place to be...he could, and would, sit for hours and just marvel at the different breeds of dogs running around and swimming in the lake. Maggie, his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was his pride and joy, and faithful companion.

Dave is commonly described by those who know and love him as a "true gentleman, unassuming, brilliant, inventive, insightful and thoughtful." Dave's caring and uplifting spirit will always remain in the heart of all those who were blessed to be a part of his life.

These thoughts and remembrances were compiled by Dave's cherished colleague and friend…Larry and Arlette Loomis. A true friend is the greatest of all blessings.

Dave Miller: a father, a grandfather, a friend, a gentle unassuming man, an innovative and creative genius, a connoisseur of fine cuisine, a sportsman and a dog lover.

A friend: always there to help and asks nothing in return, loyal, never argumentative, but always understanding.

A gentle unassuming man: never a curse word spoken, never a demeaning remark about anyone, never bragging about his accomplishments, but always even tempered and patient.

An innovative and creative genius: Dave took complex problems and reduced them to simple solutions. His mastery of electronics and optics are found in the ultra-sensitive instruments he designed to be used in fluorescence, luminescence, and chemiluminescence techniques to identify the presence of bacterial pathogens. His instrumentation can be found in hospitals and research labs around the world. And for problem solving, there was always the puzzles in Car Talk radio show that Dave and I solved.

A connoisseur of fine cuisine: Dave loved oysters, sushi and crab cakes, but always had the love, as all true chemists have, of doing his own cooking. And of course, in true James Bond fashion, a good martini.
A sportsman: he loved his Skins and Terps when he was in Maryland, but once he moved to Florida, college football at University of Florida and UCF was prime.

Of course, last but not least in our remembrance of Dave, was his overwhelming love for dogs, he never met a dog that he didn't pet, talk to, or admire.

The memorial and celebration of life service will be on Saturday, January 12th at Winter Park Presbyterian Church. The service will begin at 1:00 pm with a reception following. Flowers may be sent to Winter Park Presbyterian Church at 400 S Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792.


Arrangements are entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory, 407-695-CARE(2273)