Russell Miller memorial is set
A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, Aug. 3, for Russell E. Miller 3d, 90, formerly of Clifton Heights, a Realtor, radio show host, and writer, who died July 13 of a heart ailment in a hospice in Fort Myers, Fla.
A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, Aug. 3, for Russell E. Miller 3d, 90, formerly of Clifton Heights, a Realtor, radio show host, and writer, who died July 13 of a heart ailment in a hospice in Fort Myers, Fla.
He had moved to Fort Myers 12 years ago.
Born to Florence and Russell Miller Jr. in Philadelphia, Mr. Miller grew up on a farm in Ambler. He was self-educated, and, as a result, he became something of a Renaissance man, his family said.
He served in the Coast Guard during World War II. Afterward, he built a career as a Realtor, and with his wife, Winifred V. Miller, he taught lawyers about real estate and estate planning.
He testified before Congress in support of fair mortgage-payment options for homeowners, authored books on estate planning, and served as president of the Delaware County Real Estate Board.
For 25 years ending in 2002, Mr. Miller hosted the WWDB-FM radio show "Real Estate and Your Estate, with Russ Miller," broadcast for four hours every Saturday morning. He was a member of Broadcast Pioneers and a ham radio operator.
He also loved photography, painting, and sculpture. "He was an unbelievable photographer," said daughter Tina Crumpacker. "He took the cover photos for the Board of Realtors magazine for years."
Once he retired to Fort Myers, he played the piano daily for seniors. He produced monthly variety shows at his retirement facility and also "open mic" nights so writers could read their work to live audiences.
At age 88, he launched a blog dedicated to his short stories, www.RussMillerStories.com.
He left behind an unfinished novel, but told his daughters and grandson how it should end, so they can complete it.
He will be remembered for "never wasting a talent, never wasting a day, right up to the last one," his family said.
Mr. Miller's wife died in 2008. Besides his daughter Tina Crumpacker, he is survived by daughter Connie Bottinelli; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A visitation starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, will be followed by a 6:30 p.m. life celebration at James J. Sweeney Funeral Home, 209 N. Newtown Street Rd. (Route 252), Newtown Square. Burial is private.
Donations may be made to All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, Fla. 33901.
610-313-8102