Friday, September 4th, 2026
Robert Miller
Robert J. "Bob" Miller, a lifelong resident of Coldwater, Ohio, who had a decades-long career in education and other work supporting young people in the community, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, after a three-year battle with cancer. Bob was a family man, teacher, coach and fisherman with a clever sense of humor and a deep love for his hometown.
He was born Oct. 24, 1945, to Edward and Estella (Roth) Miller, the youngest of three sons. He was a graduate of Coldwater High School, Class of 1963, and earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Wright State University in 1971. He received a Master in Education from Wright State in 1982.
He married Gloria (Hundley) Miller, his wife of 59 years, in 1967. They had three children: Greg (Lesa) Miller of Sweetwater, Tenn.; Cyndi Miller of Santa Fe, N.M.; and Erin Miller of Coldwater; and four grandchildren: Aurelia Valente, Alyncia Liner, and Arihanna and Cyrus Miller. He treasured spending time with his family.
Bob's teaching career began even before he had earned his bachelor's degree, first at Fort Recovery and a year later at Coldwater Exempted Village Schools, where he would retire 33 years later, in 1999, as an eighth-grade science teacher. He then served as a substitute teacher for nearly 25 years, a job he loved as much as being in his own classroom.
Bob spent several years umpiring high school baseball games, and then served for much of his teaching career and into his retirement as a baseball coach. He trained freshman and later junior varsity players, many of whom would go on to play for a state champion-level varsity team. He also spent two seasons coaching girls softball. He always described his coaching role as an opportunity to help young players build solid skills from the start and instill a strong sense of sportsmanship. (While Bob hated losing, he hated mean-spirited heckling even more.)
For decades, Bob stayed busy in the summers managing the Coldwater swimming pool and organizing the Little League program. He later became a driver education instructor, hitting the road with scores of local teens.
Bob's mantra: "If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life." He rarely took a day off work. He even tackled the family's annual summer vacations at Rice Lake, Ontario, like a beloved job - fishing for hours every day. He began visiting Rice Lake when he was 21 and enjoyed his last trip there with his family in July 2024.
With a passion for nature and geology, Bob also loved exploring national parks around the U.S. and would collect samples of rocks from his travels.
He grew passionate about his political views and wrote many letters to the editor of the Celina Daily Standard later in life.
An avid Cincinnati Bengals and Reds fan, as well as a Coldwater Cavaliers enthusiast, Bob faithfully watched his favorite teams play - sometimes twice - even in the last days of his life.
One of his greatest joys was baking his famous carrot cake for people in the community, especially those in the local schools.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Estella Miller; in-laws Bill and Mary Hundley; brothers- and sisters-in-law Richard "Boots" and Frieda Miller and Becky and Dan Booher; and nephew Ted Booher.
Along with his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by his brother Gene (Karen) Miller; nieces Cathie (John) Malone, Laura (Don) Decker and Kelly (Scott) Johnson ; and nephews Alan (Gerri) Miller, Rick Miller and Jeff (Suzette) Booher.
A visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at Hogenkamp Funeral Homes, 715 E. Main St. in Coldwater. A celebration of Bob's life is planned in October, and further information will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to EverHeart Hospice in Coldwater, 230 W. Main St., or to the Coldwater High School baseball program. A scholarship program also will be established in Bob's name.
