G.I Chamber to honor Lions Club, Dr. Robert H. Miller

Grand Island Dispatch, April 6, 2007

Dr. Robert H. Miller

The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Lions Club of Grand Island will receive Organization of the Year and Robert H. Miller, M.D., will receive Community Service Person of the Year at the 41st annual Citizen of the Year Banquet.

This year’s event will be held at the Holiday Inn Grand Island Resort and Conference Center on Wednesday, April 25, at 6 p.m. Channel 4 Meteorologist Mary Beth Wrobel will serve as emcee

Proud 50-year history

As the Lions Club of Grand Island celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is important to note the commitment and professional service of the club’s membership. Not once has the office of president ever been held by the same person. A father and son have served as president, two members were elected as district governor, and many have served on the cabinet for District 20N.

In addition, the club has paid tribute to its members as Robert Uplinger and Melvin Jones Fellowship Recipients. In 1981, a relationship was formed with the Lions Club of Merritton, an association that has strengthened under the Lions’ Motto “We Serve.”

The Lions Club of Grand Island has continually benefited from the support of the community. This synergy in effort has allowed the Lions to run its annual spaghetti dinner, White Cane Sale, Special Kids Picnic, and Loan Closet, and offer donations to more than 25 charities and college scholarships. And the club has been very active in participating and supporting programs through Lions Club International.

The groundwork has been laid for the next 50 years for the Lions Club to continue the work of helping those in need.

Grand Island Lions Club members are, from left, third row: Fred Ruocco, Ross Kaiser, Tom Rusert, Dick Planavsky, Tom Witkowski, Floyd Doring and John McCarthy. Second row: Dick Crawford, Paul Bassette, Bert Wixson, Ann Fahning, Annette Lobl, Jerry Dubiel, Larry Furnia, Earl DeGlopper and Dan Morabito. First row: Mike Steinagel, Shelia Ferrentino, Norm Hahn, Diane Dubiel, Kathie Norris and Dave Chervinsky.

Dr. Robert H. Miller: Community Service Person of the Year

Robert H. Miller was born and raised in Buffalo’s Riverside section, attending public schools in the city and Buffalo Technical High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served for two years before entering Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, for undergraduate studies. Following graduation from the University at Buffalo Medical School, he completed his internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology and opened his private practice in family medicine on Grand Island in 1955.

By 1958, he was joined in practice by Ted Rayhill, and in 1973 by Tom Sheehan. The professional and personal relationship between these three men grew through the years, and theirs became one of the most well-respected and enduring partnerships in the Buffalo area – lasting over 35 years. As the “country docs” of Grand Island, they cared for parents, grandparents, kids, delivered babies and even followed patients into surgery, usually with Dr. Gustave Milkey, another Grand Islander well known to many.

Miller was the first medical director of the Grand Island Manor Nursing Home – now Elderwood – and Miller, Rayhill and Sheehan were the Grand Island School District physicians until their retirement. They were also the impetus behind the Grand Island Rescue Squad, teaching many of the new recruits during all of these busy years. Miller found time to become the founding member of the Grand Island Rotary Club, and he and Larry Runions, Andy Beyer Sr., and the entire Rotary Club were instrumental in forming the Neighbors Foundation. In addition, he was the founder and chair of the Grand Island Narcotics Guidance Council from 1969-79.

Dedicated Service

Miller retired from his Grand Island practice in 1999; however by 2000, he was invited to return to practice at Wende Correctional Facility, as the physician of the Regional Medical Unit in Alden, and continued in this role until 2003.

During his professional career, Miller was board certified by the American Academy of Family Practice. He was an associate professor at the UB Medical School and was designated a professor emeritus in 1999. As well, he was a certified FAA flight examiner from 1972 until 1997, and as a licensed private pilot, flew his own airplane.

During his years of service, Miller raised three children on Grand Island. Scot lives in Syracuse. Jim and his wife, Kristin, live in Orchard Park and have presented him with his perfect grandchildren: Jake Robert, 5, Carson James, 3, and Grace Killeen, almost 3 months. Daughter Jordan is attending graduate school at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and engaged to marry her fiancé, Adam, in June 2008.

Miller continues to live on Grand Island with his wife, Shari, and his constant companion, Gus the Wonder Dog. He is a 40-year member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, a voracious reader, and not only builds golf clubs but also plays at River Oaks. He enjoys the mighty Niagara River year-round and fishes both the upper and lower Niagara with his personal guide, Ron Case.

Other honorees to be recognized this year are: Billie Jean Harper, Civic Person of the Year; the River Oaks Golf Club, Business of the Year; Emerson/Control Techniques, Industry of the Year; and Carolyn Lokken, Educator of the Year.

Join the Chamber in honoring these businesses and individuals. To purchase dinner tickets, call the Chamber office at 773-3651.