Peter P Miller

Born at Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington DC, Pete was son to Paul, a plant pathologist with the Department of Agriculture, and Nancy (née Wright), a University of Maryland employee. He was brother to surviving Richard and preceded in death by sister Marilyn. He spent the majority of his formative years in University Park, Maryland. 

Much to the chagrin of his parents, Pete joined the Navy at 17. He worked as a parachute rigger and aspired to become a pilot, but his eyesight prevented him from entering flight school. He returned to the DC area and attended the University of Maryland, graduating with his Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics after nine short years. His days as a Terrapin were highlighted by his time as a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, where legend says he participated in the bricking up of the TriDelt house’s entry portico, as well as landing in front of a late-night magistrate for the theft of a pig. 

Pete’s pig-stealing days came to an end when he met the love of his life, his surviving wife Catherine MacIntyre Miller. They wed within six months of being introduced and celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this past July. Pete was a devoted husband to Kate (always Katie, to him) and eventually an equally devoted father to surviving daughter Anna Parr Kelly. Pete and Kate made their home in Annapolis, Maryland, and spent their free time antiquing and traveling. Pete was particularly gifted with plants and flowers, and never met a sad houseplant that he didn’t think he could save. He also spent many hours in the detached garage in Annapolis, restoring an array of WWII military vehicles, including his beloved 1945 Jeep. 

Pete held many interesting jobs in his life, from making ice cream at the university dairy to bartending in Ocean City. He sold record-keeping equipment for IBM in Winston Salem, and he sold toilets and bathtubs in Adelphi. His career, however, was in advertising for The Washington Post, where he was a character, a friend to scores, and a creative force with which to be reckoned. After 32 years of mischief and an illustrious sales career, he retired from The Post in 2003. 

After retirement, the Millers settled in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he was passionate about volunteering at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. He assisted with exhibit design at the Parris Island Museum (and almost certainly contributed a grenade or MRE of his own to the collection). He loved to attend the boot camp graduation ceremony, find the inevitable few recruits who had no family present, and take them out for pizza to celebrate their grueling accomplishment. 

Pete was kind, gracious, and ardently principled. He was a steadfast friend, a devoted and loyal husband, and an exceptional parent. He exhibited a type of allegiance and integrity that can only be described by the Marines’, and his, motto: Semper Fi. 

Pete is survived by his wife, Catherine, of Greenville, SC, daughter and son-in-law Anna Parr & Michael Kelly of Calabash, NC, and brother Richard Miller of Bowie, MD. 

 In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or Bon Secours Hospice by Compassus (Greenville, SC). A memorial service will be held at a later date.