Michael E. Miller

Rye Beach - Michael E. Miller, 80, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on July 15th, 2023. He was a long-time resident of Rye Beach, NH. He was pre-deceased by his father, Chester, mother, Kate, and brother, Richard. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Marilyn, daughter, Jennifer, son Marc and his wife Gina, sisters Suzanne, Melissa, Michelle and Nancy, and stepmother Miiko; two nephews John and Christopher, as well as two grandchildren, Michael and Amber, and three great-grandsons, Roman, Owen, and Liam. Mike graduated from Rollins College in 1964 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He opted out of an instructor position to go to Vietnam, where he flew 100 missions over route pack six, the most heavily defended area of North Vietnam. His squadron, the 11th TRS, drew heavy losses during operation Rolling Thunder, but he survived. His next duty station was RAF Alconbury, where his father had also been stationed during World War II. There he met his wife Marilyn and his daughter Jennifer was born. After being reassigned to Westover AFB, Massachusetts, to fly KC-135’s, his family unit was completed with the birth of his son, Marc. Mike was then stationed at Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH, where he established roots in the local community. Mike attained the rank of Lt. Col. and retired from the Air Force in 1988. Next, Mike enjoyed a new career in commercial aviation, flying for Pan American Airways on the Eastern European Route, based out of West Berlin, West Germany. He experienced firsthand the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany. Sadly, Pan American ceased operations in 1991, after which Michael flew for several other commercial carriers, ending his flying career with Midway Airlines in 2002. Upon retirement, his passion for aviation, history and travel continued. Mike and Marilyn travelled extensively, meeting up with family and friends in exciting new places around the globe. He remained an avid reader and constantly scrolled through his computer seeking out new factoids about the world. As his health deteriorated, his great desire was to spend his remaining time at home. The family was able to honor this wish with the fantastic aid of the team at Rockingham VNA. If you wish, please make a donation in his memory to: Rockingham VNA & Hospice, 137 Epping Road, Exeter, NH 03833 There will be a private celebration of his life in the fall. He will be missed.

Michael E. Miller

July 17, 1942 - July 15, 2023