Richard Miles

Submitted Story

Published: Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Richard E. Miles was born March 29, 1941, the youngest of six children to Frank and Bernice (Rumsey) Miles in Kadoka, S.D.  When he was 5, they moved to Newell, S.D. While attending school in Newell, he was a star basketball, football and track athlete—where he earned the nickname “Dead Eye Dick” for his shooting accuracy on the court and held some basketball scoring records for decades after his graduation in 1959. In 1965, he graduated from Black Hills State College and married Marie McDermott.  They moved to Custer, S.D., where he taught high school history and physical education, was assistant wrestling coach and junior high football coach. In 1966, their daughter Marjorie was born. He and Marie divorced in 1999. In 1973, he started working at the Youth Forestry Camp in Custer State Park and transferred to STAR Academy when it opened.  After his retirement, the academy’s auditorium was named the Richard E. Miles Auditorium in honor of his dedication and outstanding service to troubled youth. He continued to work there on an as-needed basis until his untimely death.  His calm demeanor and even keel will be greatly missed by both staff and the boys, whose lives he so positively influenced through his years of service. Richard, a devoted grandfather, was never without a photo and a proud anecdote or two of his beloved grandkids.  He was happiest spending time with his favorite “little man” and “little lady,” golfing, reading, competing in his fantasy football league and helping friends and family with any project big or small. Richard E. died Monday, June 1, 2009, at Swedish Hospital First Hill in Seattle, Wash., after a short and very courageous battle against Liposarcoma cancer. He was 68. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Brownie Breidenbach. Survivors include his daughter, Marjorie (Praveen Rao) and their children Keiran and Arya of Seattle; three sisters, LaVerne Breidenbach of Portland, Ore., Delores (Donn) West of Belle Fourche, S.D., Lucille (Richard) Youngberg of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; two brothers, Roger (Sharon) Miles of Beaverton, Ore., and Robert (Sharon) Miles of Newell; several nieces and nephews; and his special friend Jacqui Gerenz of Custer. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 20, at the Richard E. Miles Auditorium at STAR Academy south of Custer.  Those attending should enter through the south gate and follow the signs. A memorial will be established.