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| Pete Miller (1945-2019) |
We're sorry to report that we've lost another Miller family member.
Freddy Paul "Pete" Miller passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, in Spokane, Washington. Pete had been suffering the past few months, the victim of mesothelioma. He was 73.
Cousin Pete was born February 24, 1945 in Wenatchee, Washington, the second child of Fred and Charlotte Miller. He was their first child born in Washington state after they relocated from Nebraska to the the Pacific northwest in the early 1940's. Pete's sister, Jean, was born in 1943 in Chadron, Nebraska, where Fred and Charlotte had married in June 1942.
Pete was the oldest of the three Miller boys. His younger brothers, Wayne and Charlie, were both born in Ione, Washington.
Pete, like the rest of his siblings, grew up in Metaline Falls, nestled along the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington. He lived there the rest of his life. Pete met Judy Newman, and they were married July 29, 1966. Their two children, Paul and Rhonda, were both born and raised in Metaline Falls.
Like his dad, Pete worked many years for the cement plant. After it closed, he went to work at the Box Canyon Dam a few miles south of Metaline Falls. After retiring, Pete and Judy found great pleasure in camping and the outdoors – but their greatest joy came from their children and grandchildren.
Pete loved his family and was proud of them. I believe he also found great joy in the area his parents had chosen to make their home. The Pend Oreille Valley and the Colville National Forest region is one of the most beautiful areas of the United States. Those of us fortunate enough to have visited there understand and appreciate the quality of life that abounds there – particularly for raising kids.
Pete was just a few days shy of his 74th birthday when he passed away. Immediate and close family members gathered on his birthday to celebrate his life. It was a good life. And Pete was a good man. I suspect his namesake grandfather, Pete Miller and wife Dora, are joined by Fred and Charlotte looking down and reflecting on Pete's life, saying, "Well done."
Our hearts go out to Judy and the Miller children and grandchildren, as well as to Jean, Wayne, and Charlie.
All of us are the better for having known this wonderful man.
We are told that a memorial gathering will take place in the spring.
Rest in peace, cousin Pete.
