Ronald J Miller

Ronald J. Miller was born October 2, 1953 to Barbara and Robert Miller in Longview and grew up in Richland, Washington. He died November 2, 2018 after complications from surgery in June

His family moved to the Chicago area when he was in High School to be closer to the extended family. He moved to Colorado with friends shortly after he graduated from Wheaton High School. He loved the mountains and particularly loved winter backcountry skiing and climbing. He walked part of the Pacific Crest Trail, and climbed Pico de Orizaba in Mexico and Denali in Alaska, as well as many mountains around Marble.  He also spent a winter living in Crystal, Colorado.

Ron was trained as a plumber and worked many years in the construction trades.

Ron met Joyce Illian in Marble, and they married among crystals on Sheep Mountain in 1987. They restored a historic house in Marble where they lived for 34 years. They moved to Montrose to retire in 2016. He enjoyed taking her into the backcountry, both for winter and summer camping. He also enjoyed international travel taking Joyce to Russia for her 50th birthday.  He was a very avid reader and had a large library of mountaineering and adventure travel books.

Ron was a devoted husband, a quiet and peaceful person, and a closet intellectual. He had a great sense of humor making those around him laugh and quietly touched many people.

Ron is survived by his wife and three brothers: David (and Yvonne) of San Jose, California, Mike (and Suzanne) of Seattle, Washington, and Glenn of Chicago, Illinois; and three nieces.

At Ron’s Request cremation has taken place and no services are planned.