Alan M. { Big Al } Miller

Big Al passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was eighty years old.

He was the husband of Donna J. Parkhurst Miller, his wife of 54 years.

Born on September 20, 1928, in New Jersey, he was the son of the late Milton and Estelle Wilhelm Miller. He received a degree in agriculture from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, followed by two years of military service.

Mr Miller was a microbiologist working at Ft. Detrick until the 1970's and was the chairman of the Ft. Detrick Reunion Committee for those retiring prior to 1971.

Al continued his scientific career at the Navel Ship Research and Development Center in Annapolis and retired from the Food and Drug Administration at NIH.

He was a member of the Red Cross Hall of Fame honored for his outstanding 25 years as a First Aid and Water Safety instructor, training both students and other instructors.

Al was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Columbia Lodge #58 in Frederick as well a Past Grand Tall Cedar, Forest #132 in Frederick.

Mr. Miller was very well known for his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of Eagle Scout as a young man, and in 1967, the National Capital Area Council presented him with the Silver Beaver Award. He had 50 years of continuous service, during which he led three trips to the Philmont Scout Ranch, Co-Directed the Annual District First Aid Meet and served as a Scoutmaster of Troop #271. Al also volunteered as Camp Host at Assateague State Park for 20 years and loved spending the month of July at the beach.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and boating with family and friends. He owned an RV which he took on two trips to Alaska.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Scott Miller and wife Charlotte of Lynchburg, VA and Bruce Miller of Walkersville; a daughter, Patti Banashak and husband Duane of Issaquah Washington; five grandchildren, Kestrel Miller, Gabrielle Miller, Madeline Banashak, Anna Banashak and Ryan Banashak; a sister, Frances Herbert and husband Walter of New Hampshire; two step-brothers: Bob Hogeman of New York and David Hogeman of Pennsylvania; and his step-mother, Ellen Miller of New York.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Saturday, January 24, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, where a Masonic memorial service will begin at 6:30 PM.

Services: The funeral service will be held at 3:30 PM on Sunday, January 25, at Stauffer Funeral Home, with Rev. Gary Hicks of Brook Hill United Methodist Church officiating.
Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Boy Scouts of America, Berea College in Berea Kentucky, or The Nature Conservancy.