Miller authored well-known ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ column
Published in the November 11-24, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Hank Miller
Friends and family who knew longtime Morgan Hill resident Henry “Hank” Francis Miller described him as a modern-day American Renaissance Man. He became a literary legend in the community, well known for his wit and wisdom when sharing his off-beat thoughts about local life for many years with a humor column in the Morgan Hill Times. He died Oct. 15 following a month-long hospital stay at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Affectionately known as “The Hanker,” Miller was a master woodworker and a “car guy” who enjoyed his 1956 Corvette and membership in the Morgan Hill Classic Car Club. He had a sophisticated ear for music, was a trivia master, a movie buff and an avid fan of the Sharks, Giants and 49ers.
Miller, 79, was a dog-lover from his first dog Daisy to present day Annabelle. More than anything, he was a true, old-school gentleman who courted his wife Nancy (also known as “Lady M”) with the finer things in life while always maintaining his humility and deep love for his family.
“Hank lived a blessed life, and all who knew him were deeply touched and enriched by being a part of his living legacy,” said Nancy. “We can rejoice knowing that his life was very full and well lived and that God has now taken him to eternal rest.”
Besides being a dedicated family man, Miller made many friends in Morgan Hill including Lisa DeSilva, chief development officer for the nonprofit Community Solutions.
“Hank was an old-time gentleman with modern-day sensibilities,” she said of her friend. “He was gracious, engaging, intelligent and genuinely interested in the world around him and the people in front of him. He loved our community, sharing his gifts of words and wisdom through his ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ column. Hank had a keen and quick wit that never disappointed. I loved talking to him and will truly miss our conversations and his company.”
Born in December 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland, Miller’s childhood was spent in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Short Hills, New Jersey. A graduate of the 1954 class at Xavier High School in New York City, Miller was a three-year varsity member of the rifle team and in his senior year was captain of the undefeated team. He graduated from Villanova University in 1957, earning a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. He continued using his marksmanship skills in college and applied his boundless energy as a writer and DJ at the college radio station. Additionally, Miller earned a certificate in executive management from Pennsylvania State University in 1976. Miller began his professional engineering career with Douglas Aircraft as an associate engineer and worked for several years in the missiles power plant division.
He was employed by Lockheed for 20 years and was part of a team of four that performed the mechanical testing and launching of the first generation Agena reconnaissance spy satellites shot into space out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1960.
In later years, Hank combined his engineering and business skills as chief executive officer of Clean Sweep Corp., a subsidiary of Lockheed responsible for managing oil spills and oil/water separation equipment. While in this position, he received two U.S. patents: 4,039,454 and 4,132,648.
Co-founder of Wescom Associates, Inc., in 1980, Miller supported many budding Silicon Valley firms with public relations, technical writing and advertising. That business evolved into H.F. Miller & Associates where he continued to help companies grow.
Miller was predeceased by his mother, Mary Ann Miller, and father, Henry Francis Miller. He is survived by his devoted wife Nancy; two loving sisters, Catherine (Miller) Arenz Casile of Saratoga and Elizabeth (Miller) Rifino of Plainfield, New Jersey; children Bud Miller (Tami) of Orangevale, Chris Miller (Marie) of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Jennifer Crowley (Dan) of Salinas, Paul Miller of San Jose; and step-children Carrie Britton (Steve) of San Martin, Eric Evans (Lisa) of Bend, Oregon, and Lisa Evans of Santa Clara. Hank was a proud grandfather (called “Pop-Pop”) to 18 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donations in Miller’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation, or a charity of choice. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Nov.14, at St. Catherine’s Church, 17400 Peak Ave. A celebration of his life is planned in the coming weeks.
