Richard Alan “Rick” Miller, 

What you need to know about Rick Miller is not where he was born, Cheyenne, WY, or where he died, Port Charlotte, FL, but how he lived his life. He was devoted to the three F’s. Friends, Family, and Football.

Friends

Once you were a friend of Rick’s, you were his friend for life. He wanted to be of service to the world and his friendship was how he was able to do it. He would make friends everywhere he went by showing up to help a person out anywhere he saw the need. He loved to laugh and have a good time. It didn’t matter where, but his favorite ways involved music and games. Rick loved music. Country, Rock, Rap, oldies, or new music. It didn’t matter. If you were spending time with him, music was playing and I bet he said something like, “Have you heard this new band?” Or “These guys were amazing in concert.” It was rare to find a band he hadn’t seen in concert. Being Rick’s friend also meant playing games, frequent game nights were a way to connect with other people. His favorite was Dungeon’s and Dragons. At times he was bard and other times warrior, lately he enjoyed directing the story as Dungeon Master. He would spend his free time finding ways to challenge each of his players to bring about a fulfilling story. And when the night was over, he would always say, “I hope you guys had a good time and had fun with this adventure.”

Family

There is so much to say on this topic, but it comes down to this. Rick loved his family. I mean a deep powerful love. On his right arm he was working on a sleeve tattoo all about family. It started with a tattoo dedicated to his children, Joshua, Nathaniel/Nathalia, and Lincoln. A cross with the adoption triangle in the middle and their names. He idolized his father Dave and wanted to be a good dad like he was. I believe he exceeded that standard. Parenting, as many of you know, is not easy. Despite all the challenges, Rick was committed to helping his children grow into the people they were meant to be. And of course, he brought the fun. He was the parent who took the kids to the park first and most often. Silly rituals that involved hugs and tickling before bed and sweet morning snuggles. I know his kids will miss hearing him say, “Hey bud. How’s it going?”

There was no “step” family, not her side of the family, and no “adopted” labels needed. Once you were in his heart, in the inner circle, you were family. He loved his parents David & Dale Ann Miller, Sherry Blair, and James & Diana De Maio. He loved his sisters Krissy and Eva, Jennifer, Lilian, and Mary. He loved his brothers, Marcel, Michael, and Matthew. There are too many friends he thought of as family to list them all here. I promise if you loved Rick, he would love you more.

And most of all, he loved his wife, Monica. After their first date in Denver, Colorado, he told his friends he had met “the one.” He followed her to Florida to pursue her dream. And every day did his best to show her love. They had an amazing love story that lasted for over 18 years.

Football

Rick loved all sports and had a competitive streak that came out the strongest when playing sports. As a child, he played baseball and in high school he played football and baseball. He bonded with his father watching the Denver Broncos and continued his love and support of the team throughout his life. He organized a family fantasy football team for his family and in any given year was involved in at least two other fantasy teams. He enjoyed watching football, basketball, or hockey with family or friends. It was beautiful watching him explain the games to his children as they watched them together. And when Nathaniel/Nathalia was about four, he coached their basketball team. When Lincoln was about the same age, he signed him up for football. Neither of them showed a real interest in the sport, Rick encouraged them to find their own thing and embraced what they loved. Rick played softball in the church league until he got sick, and the friendships he made continued. Football was a model for how Rick lived his life. Work hard and have fun playing, be a good sport no matter if you win or lose and always, always support the team, even as his health declined, he never let it stop him from participating in the game of life, living his adventure, and loving to his fullest.

Friends may visit www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel