Robert Anthony Miller, a retired residential real estate agent and former lacrosse captain at Loyola University Maryland, died of heart disease Nov. 10 at the Pickersgill Retirement Community in Towson. The former Lutherville resident was 96.
Born in Baltimore and raised on Rossiter Avenue, Mr. Miller was the son of Henry J. Miller, an insurance broker, and Marie Hohman, an admitting worker at Mercy Hospital.
He attended St. Mary of the Assumption School and graduated from Loyola Blakefield in 1946, where he served as sophomore class president and participated in basketball, tennis and football. He earned a degree in biochemistry in 1949 at Loyola University Maryland, where he captained the lacrosse team.
“He remained a dedicated and loyal fan of the Greyhounds’ lacrosse program, attending and watching home and away games,” said his daughter, Mary Carol Byers.
While in college, Mr. Miller worked at Eddie Jacob’s haberdashery in downtown Baltimore, developing a lifelong taste for fine clothing.
Notably, he never owned a pair of blue jeans.
After graduating, Mr. Miller joined the Army, training in lab work at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio before conducting malaria research in Panama.
He later joined his high school friend Jim O’Conor at O’Conor and Flynn Real Estate, selling residential properties and eventually becoming a partner. He retired nearly 20 years ago.
“Bob was a model salesperson who leaves a lasting legacy as a respected mentor,” said Maureen Flynn, a colleague. “He was in charge of the education of our sales staff and shaped the careers of so many.”
Mr. Miller met his wife, Carol Barry, through her brother, Baltimore artist Martin J. “Skippy” Barry. They married in 1953 at St. Ignatius Church. As a unique wedding gift, the couple received three quarts of red sauce from the old Maison Marconi restaurant, a Barry family favorite.
“His yearly calendar was guided by the hunting seasons for dove, pheasant, quail, goose, and duck hunting,” said his daughter. “He celebrated the end of the season with a game dinner.”
At age 84, Mr. Miller achieved two holes-in-one at Fox Hollow Golf Course in Timonium, where he was affectionately known as “starter Bob.”
A lifelong sports fan, he held Baltimore Colts season tickets for years and rooted for the Orioles, Clippers and Bullets. He coached lacrosse in the Baltimore County Recreation League and played tennis at the Roland Run Club.
An opera and classical music enthusiast, Mr. Miller also enjoyed New Orleans jazz, particularly Sweet Emma Barrett. Among his favorite dishes were turkey tetrazzini at Marconi’s and baby lamb chops at the Peppermill. He was fond of soft crabs and oysters.
Mr. Miller is survived by two daughters, Mary Carol Byers of Sparks and Anne Callahan, of The Villages, Florida; a sister, Doris Jean Miller, a member of the Sisters of Mercy in Baltimore; five step-grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2008. A son, Robert “Rob” A. Miller Jr., died in 1971 at age 14.
A memorial Mass was held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 13305 Long Green Pike in Hydes.
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