Robert Braxton Miller (“Dusty” Miller)

Robert Braxton Miller (“Dusty” Miller), a longtime resident of Midlothian, Virginia (a suburb of Richmond, Virginia), passed away peacefully on October 18^th  at the age of 91. He was born in Dunbar, West Virginia on December 22, 1928  and is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Barbara Miller, their son Bob Miller, their granddaughter Emma Braxton Miller, nephews Jonathan Miller, James Bennett, and George Bennett, and many cousins. Importantly, in 2012 he organized a much appreciated several day “wide net” family reunion that was well attended by many members of his extended family.

In recent years, Dusty continued his long service as a volunteer leader in the Boy Scouts of America, volunteered regularly (until the relatively recent past, every week) as a “comfort for returning troops” visitor at the local VA Hospital, and with his wife Barbara was an active member of the Crestwood Presbyterian Church in Midlothian. Dusty was also an active Mason (a life member of Manchester Lodge #14 and is a member of the Scottish Rite and the Shrine) and in early 2020 received a letter form the Masons that recognized his 50 years of service.

Dusty spent his very early years in Charleston, WV and Washington, D.C. and then at age 6 his family moved to Fairmont, WV where Dusty attended public school through the 10^th grade. As a young man he was an active Boy Scout and was awarded the Eagle badge in 1943. He attended the Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg, WV for his last two years of high school and graduated from that school in 1947. Soon thereafter he entered the University of Richmond. In 1948, while pursuing college studies, he joined the Virginia Air National Guard. When the Korean Conflict started, Dusty was immediately called to active duty and served as a crew member on a Douglas B-26 bomber. In 1952, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force as a Senior Air Intelligence Supervisor. 

Following his military service, Dusty went into real estate, specializing in mortgage banking, appraising and consulting for some of the country’s largest banks. For 20 years he was president of Robert B. Miller & Associates, Inc., a real estate consulting and appraisal firm. Over the years he was employed by the real estate departments of several banks, including Wachovia Bank in Winston-Salem, NC and later the Central Fidelity Bank in Richmond, Virginia. He retired in 1994, as Senior Vice President and Manager of Central Fidelity’s real estate appraisal department. Dusty is a Life Member in the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. 

Dusty was active in Scouting for 81 year, including service as both a Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chairman. He also served on the Heart of Virginia Council’s Executive Board for 30 years and was the council’s Philmont representative for several decades. He was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award in 1982

and Walking Woodbadge in 1984. 

Dusty led a good and full life. He was and is loved by his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew him.