Richards Marion "Doc" Miller is a dentist and one of the founders of the Venturing program of the Boy Scouts of America.[1][2] Miller is the recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and Silver Buffalo Award[3][4][2]

Richards Miller
Born
Richards Marion Miller
Other namesDoc Miller
Alma materBrigham Young University
OccupationDentist
AwardsDistinguished Eagle Scout Award
Silver Buffalo Award
Venturing Leadership Award
Silver Antelope Award

Early life edit

Miller attended Brigham Young University. While there, he was a cheerleader from 1967 to 1969; becoming the head cheerleader in 1969.[5]

Career edit

Miller founded a dental practice in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1974.[5][1][6][7]

From 1986–1997, Miller was the junior varsity volleyball coach at Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville, Virginia.[5][7]

Scouting edit

Miller joined the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) when he was fourteen years old and became an Eagle Scout with two Eagle Palms in 1959.[5][2][8] Miller was the Eagle Scout chosen to escort President John F. Kennedy for his inauguration and Inaugural Ball in 1960.[1]

He joined the Eagle Scout honor society, Knights of Dunamis, and helped to found a local chapter of its successor, the National Eagle Scout Association, serving as its chairman.[5] Active in the BSA Order of the Arrow honor since 1957, he served as a lodge adviser.[5]

Miller was a Scoutmaster for seven years, was president of the Virginia Headwaters Council, and the council commissioner.[5] He was the National Outdoor Venturing Chairman from 1998 to 2004, overseeing 250,000 scouts.[1][7][2] From 2000 to 2003, he served on the National BSA Field Book Task Force, writing the Fieldbook: The BSA's Manual of Advanced Skills for Outdoor Travel, Adventure, and Caring for the Land, 4th edition (2004).[5][2] He also helped authored the Wood Badge in the 21st Century scout leader training course.

In 1985, he received the Silver Buffalo Award, Scouting’s highest commendation for adult volunteers.[3] On May 25, 1996, he was awarded the Silver Antelope Award at the national BSA convention in Hawaii.[7]

Awards and honors edit

Personal and family life edit

Miller lives in Waynesboro, Virginia with his wife Georgiana Hardesty Miller.[5] He is the father of four daughters and one son who is also an Eagle Scout.[5] He is a member of The Church of the Latter-Day Saints.[11][8]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Itsarapakdetam, Tanadet (Winter 2021). "The Founders of Venturing". Venturing Newsletter: 16–17 – via issuu.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Linsner, Dawn (February 8, 2001). "Scout Earns National Award". The Daily News Leader. Staunton, Virginia. p. 1. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "List of Silver Buffalo recipients". Scouting magazine. August 30, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Distinguished Eagle Scouts" (PDF). Scouting.org. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Dr. Richards Miller" (PDF). National Venturing Youth Cabinet. Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved March 23, 2006.
  6. ^ "Magnolia Dental : Meet our Doctors". www.ident.ws. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e Kincaid, Jenny (September 22, 1996). "Local Scout Leader Recognized for His Contributions to Youth". The Daily News Leader. Staunton, Virginia. p. 7. Retrieved March 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b c "People in the Church". Deseret News. February 23, 2001. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  9. ^ "1998 DSA Recipients". Order of the Arrow, BSA. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  10. ^ "National VLA Recipients". Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  11. ^ "People in the Church". Church News. February 17, 2001. Retrieved March 19, 2023.