Richard Delorme Miller
He will be greatly missed by his two sons and stepson, Todd and Courtney Miller, and Chris Watts, and sister Barbara Brown, who were blessed by his long and happy life which included a deep passion for sailing, followed by tennis, skiing, and a general love of nature, which sustained him in his daily walks and observations of flora and fauna. In his last few years, he would often point out the character, direction, and speed of clouds passing overhead.
He was born to parents, Ray Acken Miller and Alma Lucille Delorme in Elizabeth, NY, on October 9, 1923. His enjoyment of sailing and nature was instilled early during summer vacations on Block Island. During WWII he was in the Coast Guard and afterward joined the Merchant Marines and transported troops back from the warfront. He followed with a degree from Yale, Class 45W, and a 30-year career in hydraulic engineering and sales. His greatest career passion was in spec building that began near Wilton, CT in the early 50’s and picked up later in the 1970’s with several projects near Newport and Laguna Beach.
Through the 70’s and 90’s, he was a primary mover in the Victory fleet and Santa Barbara Sailing Club. During that period he also rekindled his love for sailing along the eastern seaboard taking three more trips down the Intracoastal Waterway to Florida, the last single-handedly at the age of 70.
After retirement, he took on a part-time position as a City of Santa Barbara tennis court monitor at the Las Positas and Municipal Tennis Center, where he put to use his training at the Coast Guard Academy by sewing up countless tennis court nets.
His life will be celebrated on Saturday, July 20th, 3 PM at the Villa Santa Fe apartments, community room.