Richard L. Miller

Richard L. Miller, 85, of Elizabethtown, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at Hershey Medical Center. He is survived by his sons Matthew, and wife Tina, and Drew married to Brooke.

Born April 2, 1939 in Tower City, he was the son of the late James and Gertrude (Hummel) Miller. A 1957 graduate of Porter Tower High School, he also earned a degree from Kutztown State Teachers College and a Master’s degree from Duke University.

In 1961, he wed his sweetheart Rosann Schade, who preceded him in death in 2020. Together they formed a loving and lasting relationship that was the most essential joy of his life and hers, complimented by the blessing of two wonderful sons.

Richard taught high school English for three decades at Elizabethtown Area High School, where he won three separate awards for excellence in teaching. He also taught American Literature for five summers at Elizabethtown College. When he was faculty advisor to the high school newspaper students, they won national awards in writing and four went on to be professional journalists. A writer himself, he had poems published in Fine Woodworking and Bird Watcher’s Digest.

The grandson of a cabinetmaker, Richard enjoyed woodworking and pursued it in his shop whenever possible. His skills included pen making, wood carvings, bowl turning, cabinet making and furniture creation and repair. As a house and barn painter for many summers, he was also adept at painting and finishing furniture. From his childhood on, he was a photographer using film and digital cameras and creating more than 15,000 pictures, using many of them in making greeting cards. He also enjoyed chess and birdwatching. Richard was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school for more than fifty years.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 398 North Locust Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 at 11:00 AM. The family will greet relatives and friends at a luncheon immediately following the service. Burial will be private.

Richard’s family would like to thank the staff at Hershey Medical Center as well as those at James Buchanan, Health Care Center and Hospice of Masonic Village at Elizabethtown for their wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, www.masonicvillageelizabethtown.org.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com. Arrangements entrusted to Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Elizabethtown.