By STARLA POINTER
When handyman Robert Walker began helping Richard and Ruth Miller with the upkeep on their house, he had no idea what a great friendship they’d develop — or that his relationship with Richard would lead to a strange inheritance.
“What a great guy,” Walker said, recalling his friend, a World War II veteran and sort of Renaissance man who died Jan. 14, 2017, at age 92.
They did a lot of talking — and Walker, especialy, did a lot of listening.
“He was the nicest guy and such an interesting person,” Walker said. “I would’ve liked to hear more stories from him.”
Although “Dick” Miller was almost 20 years older, the two McMinnville residents found they had a lot in common.
Both had lived in the area for many years. Miller moved here in 1986 after retiring from the insurance business. Walker lived in McMinnville and Yamhill off and on, spending time in Texas, as well, while working for telephone companies; he retired from General Telephone in 1993.
Both had a variety of interests, including music. Miller had been an executive with record companies earlier in life. He enjoyed all sorts of music, including big band, Broadway and jazz. Walker likes light jazz, rhythm and blues and show tunes.
Both liked collecting: Miller, everything; Walker, steins, swords, cuckoo clocks and John Wayne memorabilia.
Both had served in the military. Miller, who was in the Navy, spent WWII on a ship in the Pacific. Walker, who was in the Army, was stationed in Germany for 2 1/2 years.
The younger man was fascinated by the elder’s stories about life aboard the USS St. Croix.
Miller, born in 1924 in Hudson, New York, was a Naval radar operator. He was assigned to the St. Croix, a transport ship, when it was commissioned in December 1944.
He sailed up and down the West Coast, stopping at military bases in Astoria, Seattle, Bremerton, San Francisco and Long Beach. Then the St. Croix headed west across the Pacific to Guadalcanal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, the Philippines, China, Guam, Indochina and Formosa before returning to San Francisco.
Miller recorded those stops on the back of a photo of the St. Croix that was among his prize possessions. Walker now treasures the photo, which reminds him of his old friend.
When Miller was dying of cancer, he made a request of his friend: Take over his many collections, which ranged from newspaper comic strips to fine art to recordings on vinyl, tapes and CD.
“His garage was packed. He asked me to unload it and get it to good homes,” Walker said.
Miller told him that he didn’t want his wife to “have the burden” of dealing with the collections, which completely filled his two-car garage. So he wanted them moved right away.
So about 2 1/2 years ago, Walker spent about two weeks moving books, comic books (including a stack in Italian), National Geographic magazines, recordings, framed art, posters, games, electronic equipment and “about 400 pounds of newsprint.”
The latter included whole newspaper pages carefully cut out and bound in books, as well as comic strips cataloged in manila envelopes and everything in between. Many were from newspapers printed in the 1930s and 40s.
Miller was well known in McMinnville for, among other things, nostalgic shows he presented regularly at the McMinnville Senior Center.
He called the series, which met Thursdays for 15 years, the “Odyssey Group.” They covered topics he loved, including literature, art, history and music, complete with a musical score he’d put together.
After serving in WWII, Miller studied at the Feagin School of Drama and Radio in Radio City, New York. He worked as a radio announcer at WHUC in Hudson, New York, before he and his wife moved to the West Coast.
Between 1950 and 1970, he worked for MGM Records and Capitol Records. He was regional manager for Capitol in Dallas, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Walker said Miller told him many stories about the recording industry. And he played music he’d collected during his time in that business.
“Every time someone did a new record, they did one for him, too,” Walker said, sweeping his arm to indicate the stacks of hundreds of records and tapes temporarily housed in his garage.
Miller was meticulous about keeping track of his collections, his friend said. He printed out lists of which song was on which album, for easy reference.
He also kept his electronic equipment — records, CD and tape players — in perfect working order. “No eight tracks,” though, Walker said with a laugh.
Like everything else, Miller kept his reference books, nonfiction and novels in good condition, too.
Walker said he has eight or 10 big, heavy boxes of his buddy’s former books. He’s thinking of offering them to Linfield College or George Fox University.
“I can’t read them all,” he said. “I’m 76. If I started reading them, I wouldn’t get through them all.”
He offered some items to the Smithsonian and the Newseum in Washington, D.C., but those organizations politely declined.
He offered some recordings to Mt. Hood Community College, which has a renowned jazz program. Again, his offer was declined.
He has found homes for many of Miller’s items, though, including many of the comic books.
Still, he has a long way to go. His own two-car garage remains full.
“I can’t get my car in,” he said. “I had to move my woodworking shop to the patio.”
Walker, who can be reached at 503-474-2591, enjoys making furniture and other items. He’s crafted many things for his home and offspring: He and his wife, Sandy, a hairdresser at Mr. Eddie’s, have 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren between them.
As much as Walker would like the garage space back, he doesn’t want to just get rid of things. “Seeing things go to the Dumpster would break my heart,” he said.
Walker wants to honor his friend’s memory by placing items with people who will treasure them and sending them to places where they will be appreciated.
“I’m just the caretaker,” he said.