Car sales manager was active retiree

9/13/2005

Robert J. Miller, 82, a sales manager at Toledo area car dealerships for more than 35 years, died Sunday in The Forum at Knightsbridge, an assisted-living complex in Columbus. He died of complications from a fall, family members said.

Mr. Miller, who initially operated his father's car dealership in Toledo, worked in a number of dealerships, but spent most of his career as the sales manager at Brown Pontiac, his daughter, Susan Reger, said.

She said he retired from the Brown dealership in 1985, but continued working as a courier for a local company.

"He was a disciplined and self-motivated person, an inspiration to his children," Mrs. Reger said.

Born in Toledo, Mr. Miller attended public schools and graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1941. He enlisted in the Army Air Force during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1945.

He married Zola Mae Tolbert on Feb. 23, 1946, and the couple settled in Toledo.

"He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making jokes," his daughter recalled. "He loved working on computers and also enjoyed gardening, camping, family vacations, and reunions."

A longtime member of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church, Mr. Miller enjoyed traveling, his daughter said. "He traveled to a lot of places and often spent his winters in Arizona," she said.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Zola; daughters, Carol Reed, Janet Attanasio, and Susan Reger; son, Craig; 14 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Coyle Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church. The family suggests tributes to the American Red Cross-Katrina Relief Fund.