Dick Miller

Richard Wayne "Dick" Miller, 94, of Idaho Falls, passed away March 14, 2026, at his home.

Dick was born June 23, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Dorothy Linsley and Harold George Miller, joining brothers Harold George and Lowell. The family soon moved to a dairy farm in Ucon, Idaho. Dick would rise every morning before dawn to milk the farm’s dairy herd before leaving for school, often commuting on horseback. He first learned to ski by being pulled behind the farm horses along the country roads and sliding down snow drifts in the fields. Richard graduated from Idaho Falls High School and went on to attend Idaho State University and the University of Utah, majoring in physics and biological science.

Richard married Carolyn Heese Jenkins in 1957 and they welcomed two sons: Wayne Owen and Mark Jenkins Miller.

In 1967, he married Susanne June Hengeveld in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Dick and Sue made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Richard worked as a nuclear physicist for the Idaho National Laboratory. They added Zoe Simone and Ryan Anthony to the family gang.

As a family they lived together in the house that would be their home for the rest of Dick’s life, across the street from a quiet park and surrounded by Sue’s gardens, exotic birds, aggressive geese, very large snakes, and other sundry pets over time. Their family, many lifelong friends and travelers often called this a home away from home as well, and the house was always full of good company and a welcoming fire.

In 2017, Dick and Sue celebrated their golden anniversary surrounded by friends and family at Harriman State Park in Island Park, Idaho.

Richard's career at the National Laboratory started in the 1950's as a member of pioneering research teams testing the safety of early water-cooled power reactors at SPERT I, II and PBF. He went on to travel the US inspecting plutonium storage facilities. His expertise led to a DOE reactor research appointment in Halden, Norway where the family enjoyed three years of international camaraderie and opportunity to travel in Europe. They packed all their toys including an Audi sedan, a canoe, camping gear, and a full rack of ski equipment and made good use of them in Europe.

Dick was a master skier and volunteered on the Kelly Canyon and Grand Targhee Ski Patrols. He feared no crud and had an effortless style on the skis that was often imitated but never duplicated by others. His rule was first on and last off the mountain. He and Sue also loved cross country skiing, and would make trail wherever the day took them. They were often seen XC skiing in Freeman Park in Idaho Falls.

He was a very talented wood turner, and would often return from distant journeys with a trailer loaded with massive cuts of new tree species for turning. He was skilled with a shovel and tools and took on the role of dig engineer for Sue’s professional archaeological investigations. His passions included tennis, racquetball, chess, backpacking, and canoeing.

Dick was also a founding member of the Atomic Workers Credit Union, now Westmark.

Sue and Dick enjoyed travel to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Turkey, Greece, Eastern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. They would plan epic trips and be gone for weeks at a time as they explored the world, returning with thousands of pictures and many stories to tell over a glass of wine or cup of coffee.

Richard is survived by his wife, Susanne June Miller of Idaho Falls, ID; sons Wayne Owen (Semiramiss) Miller of Livermore, CA, and Ryan Anthony Miller of Salt Lake City, UT; brother, Lowell Miller of Lehi, UT; and beloved grandchildren Anthony, Joshua, Brynne, True, Stanton, Sebastian, Alexandre, and Ethan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold George; daughter, Zoe Simone Miller; and son Mark Jenkins Miller.

There will be a Celebration of life for the amazing and beloved Dick Miller at a later date. He was a fine, fine, man.