Dr. Thomas R. Miller II

Dr. Tom R. Miller, II, age 94, of Erie, passed away on Friday August 7, 2026 at home. He was born March 24, 1932 in Syracuse, New York, a son of the late Dr. Thomas Root Miller Sr. and Marian Andrews Miller.

He graduated from Oswego High School and attended the University of Rochester and Syracuse University, graduating with a major in English and a minor in Civil War History. He graduated in 1957 from the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center at Syracuse, New York, with a degree in Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Miller was an Assistant Resident in Internal Medicine and a Rotating Intern at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. He also did a fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism with Dr. Faloon at SUNY.

Dr. Miller was in solo practice for two years, and then in a partnership with Dr. John Morris. They formed the Edinboro Medical Center in 1961, and continued the partnership until 1996. Dr. Miller was certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of General Practice and a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. He was certified in ACLS and ATLS, as well as a designated Medical Examiner with the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to his medical practice, he was a Deputy Coroner of Erie County Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Medical Director and part-time physician at Edinboro State College, now known as PennWest Edinboro. He was the first Medical Director of the Edinboro Manor and a Medical Advisor to the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), where he was instrumental in their obtaining a defibrillator.

He was an avid model builder of both model boats and radio-controlled airplanes. He was a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the Thermal G Throttlers.

His awards include the Erie County Pennsylvania Citizen of the Year Award in 1973, the Edinboro VFD Community Service Award in 1995, and the Edinboro Community Distinguished Service Award in 1997. He was an active member over the years of Union City Hospital, Saint Vincent Health Center, Hamot Hospital, as well as the American Medical Association and Erie County Medical Society. In addition, Dr. Miller was an Edinboro Bank board member, a member of the PNC Advisory board, and on the American Heart Association board. He was also the Chairman of the Edinboro Lake Advisory Committee as well as a board member of the Flagship Niagara League, and a founding member of the Erie Times Reader Advisory Board. Dr. Miller was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, where he was an Elder, president of the Board of Trustees, and co-president of the Usher Guild with his wife, Ruth.

Dr. Miller was an interpretive guide for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, specifically the Erie Maritime Museum and the Brig Niagara. He taught AARP Safe Driving Classes for many years, and served as an acting as a judge for the Academic Sports League together with his wife Ruth. He enjoyed being the temperature and a weather watcher for WJET and WFXP, the Erie TV stations, for many years. Dr. Miller was a long-time private pilot, holding ratings as an Airplane Single Engine Land and IFR pilot. He enjoyed taking his family and friends on flights in the family airplane.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Purple Miller, (September 16, 2017). He is survived by their children and grandchildren: Dr. Susan Evans and her children, Hilary (Martin Mann) and Steven (Breana) Evans; Nancy, husband Stephen, and their children, Dr. Ashley Ermer (Dr. Paul Whiteside) and Chelsea (Dr. Michael) Klinginsmith; Tom R. Miller III, wife Rebecca, and their children Andrew (Kelly) and Benjamin (Dana) Miller; and Robert Miller, wife Esma, and their children Ian and Emma Miller. He is further survived by 14 great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Ruby Sue, Lola, Jeremiah, Martin, Norah, Callie, Cecilia, Warren, Lily, Daphne, Carson, Kellen, and Estelle; and his sister Marian Celia Cionek, and her husband Thomas Cionek. He was also preceded in death by his nephew, Anthony Cionek, and sister-in-law Virginia Purple.

Friends are invited to call on the family at the First Presbyterian Church of Covenant at 250 W 7th St, Erie, PA 16501 on Friday August 14th from 10am until the time of the service at 12pm. Burial will be at Whispering Pines Cremation Garden. Arrangements are entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to make donations to the charity of your choice or to the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant 250 W. 7th St., Erie, PA 16501, or to the Flagship Niagara league at the Erie Maritime Museum, 350 East Front St., Erie, PA 16507-1594 or the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department, 125 Meadville St., Edinboro, PA 16412. Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.