Newton Ward Dr. Miller

Dr. Newton Ward Miller died peacefully at home on January 10, 2021. Known to many as "Nick", he was often seen riding his bike through his hometown of Redlands. Dr. Miller was a talented man of many passions. His love of language and desire to educate others inspired those around him to truly think about their word choices. His nephew Chris Long recounted that "He could wield words with the same dexterity with which a brain surgeon wields a scalpel". His knowledge of language arts was only surpassed by his musical knowledge and abilities.
Nick, whose father Dr. Ward S. Miller was a long-time professor of English at the University of Redlands, received two Bachelors degrees at the same institution. He went on to receive his Masters of Music degree at the University of Massachusettes at Amherst, and his Ph. D. in Music Theory at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He taught at the University of Redlands, Baylor University in Texas, and at the University of Hawaii, and was a published author in his field.
Upon returning to Redlands, he married Emily Brown and became a dutiful stepfather to William (Jay) Hartman and Rebecca Hartman Buckler. Being something of a renaissance man, Nick concentrated on writing and became the senior editor for Airguide Publications in Long Beach, California for over twenty years. Nick was keenly interested in aviation and obtained his private pilot license while still going to school. He became a Certified Flight Instrument Instructor and logged over 2,000 flight hours.
Not only was he an accomplished teacher and pilot, he was a proficient pianist and harpsichordist, and a most accomplished Violist and Tubist as well. In addition, he was a composer and arranger. Nick collaborated with Maestro Carmen Dragon, who was then the conductor for the Redlands Bowl Festival Symphony Orchestra, during the Redlands Bowls 1980 season which culminated in a performance of one of Nicks compositions by the orchestra under the baton of Maestro Dragon. Nick also served as a guest conductor for this orchestra as well as for the Redlands 4th of July Band where he played the Tuba and served as the Bands music librarian for many years.
Nick also served as the choir director for the First Baptist Church in Redlands and as a director for other church choirs where he was able to put his considerable composing and arranging skills to good use. As a performer, in addition to his participation with the Redlands 4th of July Band, he was a violist with the Redlands Community Orchestra as well as with other orchestras in the surrounding areas.
While he was still a teenager, Nick became the stage manager (and later the Bowl Manager) for the Redlands Community Music Association (known to all of Redlands as the Redlands Bowl) where he served for many years. His contributions to this organization went far beyond his regular duties. He truly served as a "jack of all trades" and "master of many" and became an integral part of the organization.
Nicks other contributions to the community and his other accomplishments were many and varied. He rebuilt the chapel organ at the First Baptist Church in Redlands and assisted in the rebuilding of many others. He built his own harpsichord and Grandfather clock, and was proficient in the programming, building, and repair of early PCs during the 1980s. He was also an avid bicyclist and rode across the U.S. on a recumbent bicycle.
Nick was also a religious scholar and completed an extensive study of Biblical prophecy which is awaiting publication. In this, he was following in his fathers (Dr. Ward S. Miller) footsteps who was working on an extensive study of the Book of Job prior to his passing in 1989.
Dr. Miller leaves behind his former wife Emily Brown, his step-children William Jay Hartman and Rebecca Hartman Buckler, his sister Kathie Long, and his two nephews Tim and Christopher Long.
Nick will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him.

A memorial service is being planned for May. Please check back here for updated information as plans are finalized.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of DR. NEWTON WARD MILLER, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.