Robert “Bob” Wayne Miller

Robert “Bob” Wayne Miller, of Albany, was born on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1942, and passed away peacefully on February 20, 2024. He was the son of Wayne Emerson and Emma “Trudy” Gertrude (Price) Miller.

He is survived by his wife, Julia “Sheila” Christina Miller of Albany; son, John Miller, Colorado Springs, CO, and grandchildren Cody (Meghann) Miller, Trent Miller, Jetti Miller; daughter, Kerry (Jim) Roe, Kansas City, MO, and grandchildren Cailey Roe, Conor Roe; son, Thomas (Melissa) Miller, Fairfield, CT and grandchildren Sawyer Miller, Hadley Miller; his brother, John (Jean) Miller, Holt, MO, and his sisters-in-law Bridget Kelly, Eileen (Daniel) O’Connell, and Mary Curran. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bob grew up in Albany and was involved in many areas of interest. He participated in scouting and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1957. Bob was the president of his senior class and graduated as the Salutatorian from Albany High School in 1960. Later, he attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois for two years before transferring to the University of Missouri-Columbia. Bob was the president of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1965. After graduation, Bob served two years of active duty on the USS Alcor, which was based in Charleston, South Carolina. During his service, he traveled to Scotland and Spain monthly while supplying the Atlantic Submarine Fleet. Bob was proud to have served in the Navy and ended his commission as a Lieutenant Commander. After completing his service, Bob worked as a Production Planning Supervisor at Corning Glass Works in Corning, NY. It was while living in upstate New York that he met and married Sheila on June 11, 1976.

Bob and Sheila became the owners of Wayne’s Clothing Store following their move to Albany. When a fire destroyed the original Wayne’s Clothing Store, they bought A.B. Price and Company and continued the family business for twenty-three years as its fourth-generation owners. Spending time together at Wayne’s, especially during the holiday season, created many fond memories for the family. Bob pursued higher education and earned his Master of Science in Business Administration from Northwest Missouri State University in 1982. Bob finished his professional career as the Production Manager at the Albany Manufacturing Plant, Tempmaster, and then York/Johnson Controls, where he remained in this role for twenty years until retirement.

Bob was very involved in promoting the rural community that he loved. He participated in various community activities, including serving on the Albany Chamber of Commerce, Community Betterment, Rotary International, Albany High School Athletics Booster Club, Albany Carnegie Library Board, and Gentry County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where he contributed his time as a lector and eucharistic minister, served on the Finance Committee, and was a member of the Parish Carnival Committee.

Bob helped the Albany Economic Development Steering Committee to attract Tempmaster Manufacturing to replace Rival Manufacturing. As a result, he received the Governor’s Leadership Award from Governor John Ashcroft. He was among ten individuals in Missouri recognized for this achievement in 1986. When the Albany Ledger covered the story, Bob expressed surprise as he didn’t even know he had been nominated for the award. Bob was a humble person who always preferred to recognize others rather than be recognized himself.

Bob was a kind and gentle man who believed in the principle that actions speak louder than words. He instilled this value in his children and grandchildren. Bob loved physical fitness activities and was an avid runner for most of his adult years. In his later years, he went for a walk every day with Sheila, rain or shine. Bob will be remembered for always encouraging his family to take walks together after holiday meals on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. He and Sheila enjoyed traveling to Ireland to visit her family in County Kerry. Bob remained active even during vacations and relished taking strolls along the strand and exploring the Irish countryside.

Bob was preceded in death by parents, Wayne and Emma “Trudy” Miller; his son, Frank “Frankie” Andrew; in-laws, Mary and Daniel Curran; sister-in-law, Maureen Barrett; brothers-in-law, John Curran, Daniel Curran, Eamon Kelly, and John Barrett.

All services will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Stanberry, Missouri. A Parish Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m., with a Vitiation following from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 25, 2024.  Mass of a Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with Father Sebastian Allgaier presiding.  Burial with Military Rites will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, Albany, Missouri.

Online Condolences: www.robersonpolleychapel.com

Memorial contributions: St. Peter’s Catholic Church or Albany Carnegie Public Library in care of the Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, Missouri, 64402.  Much appreciation and gratitude to the Oak Pointe Memory Care staff in Maryville, Missouri, and Three Oaks Hospice for the exceptional care Bob received during the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease.