Entered into Eternal Patrol on 8/11/2023
Served Aboard Segundo in 1956
Aug. 14, 1927 – Aug. 11, 2023
Keith was born in Portland, Ore., to Frank O. and Collett L. Miller and passed away peacefully from natural causes.
He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1945 and, after attending the United States Military Academy at West Point for one year, he enrolled at the University of Portland, graduating in 1949 with a BS Science (Physics/Chemistry). He married Beverly M. Thompson in Portland, March 25, 1950. They were married for more than 71 years until her passing in 2021. He and Beverly had two children; Claudia, who predeceased them, and Keith Jr. of Eugene, Ore.
Keith had a long, eventful life. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol, and one of the early members of the Mount Hood Ski Patrol (badge #118) and served as Patrol Chief in 1948. He was also a climbing guide, having summited Mount Hood many times (including two climbs in one day). He also enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii and Palm Desert, Calif., camping, crabbing, fishing, golfing, hunting, and the many Labrador Retrievers he had through the years.
He served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1950 -1958, as a Quartermaster in the Submarine Service. He worked for Gilmore Steel Corp. and its Oregon Steel Mills Division for 31 years, beginning in the Chemistry Lab and eventually holding the position of President of Gilmore Steel Corp. until his resignation in 1981. He then became President of Metra Steel and Executive Vice President of Schnitzer Steel Products Co., its parent company, until his retirement in 1984.
Keith belonged to several lineage societies, including Sons of the American Revolution (where he served as National Trustee as well as State President and Registrar); Society of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge; Sons of the Revolution; Order of Founders and Patriots of America; Society of Colonial Wars; and Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims.
He was a 59 year, and Life Member, of the Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks, Hillsboro Lodge #1862. He was also a Life Member of the American Legion, Aloha Post #104. He belonged to United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.; United States Submarine Veterans of WWII; USSVI Holland Club; Naval Submarine League; the Multnomah Athletic Club; Genealogical Forum of Oregon; and was a Certified Genealogist and Fellow of the American College of Genealogists.
Keith had been a member for many years of the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers and the American Society for Metals. He was a Life member of The Metallurgical Society of American Institute of Mining Engineers.
He will be interred at the Calvary Garden Columbarium at the Parish of St. Mark, following a Requiem Mass to be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at the church, located at 1025 N.W. 21st Ave., Portland. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
Please send remembrances to the Parish of St. Mark or U.S. Submarine Veterans Charitable Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3870, Silverdale, WA 98383-3870.
Sailor, Rest your oar, we have the watch.
USS Segundo SS398 