Wally Miller passed peacefully into eternal life at home in Monument at the age of 84. He was an Air Force Officer for 28 years, an aviation instructor and leader until his last year of life, and a tireless contributor to Colorado Springs and other communities.
Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Walter and Sarah Miller, Wally graduated from Memphis State University on an ROTC scholarship. An acclaimed tenor in Memphis, he married the love of his life, Charlotte, in 1956 and they began an Air Force journey together that would span 28 years, 19 moves, combat in Vietnam, duty in command and staff positions, and nearly 5000 flying hours in B-47, B-57, T-43 and other airplanes. He made an indelible mark on the Air Force Academy in the 1960's, mentored cadets and faculty in Academy Soaring Programs for almost two decades, and represented USAFA as an Air Training Command Civic Leader.
In 60+ years of aviation leadership, he logged over 10,000 flying hours, and held instructor, airline transport, single- and multi-engine aircraft, sailplane, and balloon ratings. He served as Executive Director of the National Aeronautic Association and board member of the US Parachute Association and the Soaring Society of America; was a longtime leader in the Peterson AFB and three other USAF Aero Clubs; Order of Daedalians Flight Captain; impacted countless aviators through safety articles, presentations, and dedicated flight instruction, and was honored as FAA’s Rocky Mountain Region Flight Instructor of the Year.
Wally’s community involvement was long and distinguished, with 40+ years of Rotary Club membership in six different clubs from coast to coast and culminating in service as a District Governor in 2013-14. He served on the board of the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts and was Chair of the Colorado Springs Airport Commission.
Celebrating his life and grieving his loss are his beloved wife of almost 63 years, Charlotte; their married children, Lt Gen (Ret.) Chris and Rhonda Miller, Heather and Dale Collins, Brig Gen (Ret.) Evan and Debra Miller; and seven grandchildren, Ryann (Cory) Ard, Schuyler (Emily) Miller; Caitlin and Shannon Collins; and Chase, Audra, and Maleah Miller.
He leaves a legacy of deep love for his family, the Air Force, the Academy and Colorado Springs, many friends, and an inestimable positive impact on the people he led, taught, and served over a long life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wally's memory may be made to Rotary International at https://www.rotary.org/en/donate
On behalf of the Fannie Mae Duncan Statue Committee, I would like to thank our club’s Service Fund for the $1000 contribution to the Fannie Mae Duncan Sculpture Project. The statue of Fannie Mae will be located in front of the Pikes Peak Center, and the date of the dedication will be in August or September of this year. We are planning a music festival also to be a part of the dedication. At the present time, we are working on the design for a Donor Wall on which the club’s name will be placed for its generous contribution.
Just a little background on Fannie Mae Duncan: Fannie Mae Duncan was the first African-American woman to succeed as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community activist in Colorado Springs. She founded the Cotton Club, a jazz mecca where she booked big name personalities such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Mahalia Jackson, and Etta James. Fannie Mae died in 2005 after providing critical and caring leadership in our community.
If individual members are interested in making a contribution to the Statue Project, you can make out a check to the COS Pioneers Museum and put ‘Fannie Mae Duncan’ in the memo line. All persons and groups contributing $100 or more will have their names on the Donor Wall.
The address of the Pioneers Museum is 215 S. Tejon St., 80903.
March 8, 2019: (Friday) Queen Palmer Dental Day sponsored by the Rotary Making a Difference Committee. Rotarians are needed to assist Dr. Moore and to distribute dental care kits. Contact Carol Bach 719-641-2188 or (carolmbach@aol.com) if you are interested.
Ongoing: Reading with Kindergarten Students at Queen Palmer Elementary on M, T, W, F from 1:00 -1:30 pm. Contact Carol Bach if you are interested.
