A sad loss to the Civic Society occurred in March when Richard James Miller died aged 80. Dick as he was always known and his wife Sylvia had been members of the Society for many years and were familiar figures at meetings of the Society. Dick had celebrated his eightieth birthday last December and he and Sylvia were present at the Christmas evening at the Council House. He was taken ill shortly afterwards and died peacefully at home, where he had been cared for during his illness by Sylvia and their three daughters.
He had been an active and supportive member of the Society’s Photographic Panel ever since it started. It was typical of his generosity that he acted as host to the Panel at his elegant house on Regent Street, with Sylvia providing refreshments.
Dick qualified as a dentist just in time to enter the Royal Army Dental Corps in the early days of the Second World War. After the war he practiced in the house on Regent Street and on retiring stayed there in the upper floors, whilst the downstairs continued to be used as a dentists’ surgery.
A memorial service to him was held at St. Peter’s Church, Nottingham where he and his wife were regular worshippers. The large congregation at the service reflected the esteem he was held in by a wide circle of friends. Tributes to him were made by the Rector Canon Andrew Deuchar and Professor Brian Hopkinson. They mentioned his sense of humour, and his devotion to his family and the interests in opera and music he shared with Sylvia.
Geoffrey
Oldfield