Norman L. Miller Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

On May 15, 2022 Norman Lloyd Miller blasted off in his spaceship through the vast beauty of the cosmos on his way to the Kingdom of our Lord and Creator. He was the son of late Norman R. and Marion C. Miller of Ephrata. The reference to the spaceshipwas from the year of Ephrata High School class of 1947 where he started the big goal in life to be on that first expedition to Mars. He was fascinated by astronomy and built his own telescope. Upon entering high school, he was confronted with high mathematics and the realization that a career in astronomy was beyond his ability. So, turning to his second love, the movies, he became a writer with the intention of turning to a career in writing movie scrip Before entering school, Norman began attending the Boy Scouts of America and was a Star Scout. While attending Boy Scouts night concerts at the old Band Hall Street and was given Victrola with a few band records for his sixth birthday, he was exposed to music beyond the pops of the day. While in high school he became the troop's assistant Scout Master and in his senior year he bought his first record. He was also asked to be Scout Master at this time butwas too busy to fulfill that responsibility for a failing troop. The acquisition of the record however was of a symphony, and a friend introduced him as one who collects symphonies like those who collect baseball cards. He thought, Hey! That's a good idea. by the time he retired his collection amounted to 4,000 records, a large selection of which were movie soundtracks and pop music with a symphonic blend. Between high school and Penn State he served 3 years in the Air Force, specifically the SAC. Yes, he met General Curtis Lemay Greer. And, the day he left the service was the day the Korean War began. From the Air Force he went to Penn State to major in English Comp and Lit to hone his writing ability. interested in what was going on around him he selected Russian as his language requirement, meeting émigrés and professors he took up that language as a minor. Later, when he was working, he took all of F&M"s Russian courses which was beneficial to him later. He graduated from Penn State in 1956 The degree of Arts and Letters did not serve him in Lancaster and his experiences in New York City dissuaded his relocation there. Observing the proof room of a printing establishment was for him while working in the bindery of the Rudisill Co. in downtown of Lancaster printing firm the head proofreader and part owner offered him a position. It was meant to be until he sold something, but the work he was doing was interesting and the pay was good. Then the plant was bought by R.R. Donnelly I became involved in the startup of the telephone and finance division of Donnelly. It was a far cry from Rudisill. This was the time he took the Russian courses and wasted to explore the possibility of a master’s degree. The only offer he got was from Washington University with the provision he passed their senior courses. Then a proof-reading position opened at Lancaster Press, a printer of the Scientific Journals. Thus, he became a scientific proofreader of which astronomy and meteorology were a part. He also had the most challenging job of his career: a book with many passages in Sanskrit. Working thirteen years at Lancaster Press he encountered the great break up. The union shop plants were the first to go, and locally run shops boycotted union workers. So, Norman ended up in the library at Stephens Tech. Within a year the American Physical Society opened a plant on Lincoln Highway East. Of course, there was a demand for scientific proofreaders. But within nine years the Society sent their work to the Philippines. By then Norman was on Social Security. The tried to break into the local market and failed. A local type setting shop took the type setting of foreign dictionaries, Russian among them. After he retired Norman had the best run of his career. Failing eyesight suddenly ended it. Norman was the last of his line with only second cousins remaining. He sends thanks to his cousin Ron for taking him to his doctor appointments and his cousin Dave for all the wonderful holiday dinners and privilege of watching his three boys grow up. The last ten years from 2010- 2020 were spent at the Long Home and the Long Community at Highland where he received wonderful care with comfortable surroundings. While there he took over the weekly devotional service which was started by volunteers from Christ the King Church and enjoyed the friendship of those who came to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. A grave side service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Norman L. Miller

November 29, 1928 - May 15, 2022