Peter Lukens Miller
Peter Lukens Miller passed away at age 97 on June 15 at the White Horse Village in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, where he lived with his wife of 75 years, Mary Dorn Miller. They previously resided in Nether Providence and Springfield, Pennsylvania.
“Pete” was born November 7, 1923, and was the third of three sons of Phebe Lukens Miller and Harry Lynn Miller, and grew up in Swarthmore. Pete graduated from Swarthmore High School in 1941, and matriculated at Swarthmore College to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. During his wartime college years, Pete joined the U.S. Navy’s V-12 program later switching to the V-5 program to become a naval aviator. When the war ended, he returned to Swarthmore College, where he graduated in February 1946.
Pete and his second brother, John Anthony Miller, II, went to work as engineers for their father’s company, Chester-Jensen Company, Inc. in Chester, Pennsylvania, manufacturers of sanitary stainless steel heat exchange and other processing equipment. Fifty years later he retired having achieved the titles of president and chairman. He is succeeded by third and fourth generation family.
Pete enjoyed golf and had a family membership at Rolling Green Golf Club for decades. For nearly fifty years he was a second-generation member and officer of the venerable Ozone Club, America’s oldest continuous golfing group, playing many of the finest courses in the Tri-State area. Pete enjoyed watching professional golf and professional football on television. He was active for decades on the Board of Trustees of the Chester-Crozier Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife; their five children, Peter L. Miller, Jr. (Susan) of Eastham, Massachusetts, Steven D. Miller (Joan) of Concordville, Pennsylvania, Richard D. Miller (Jacki) of Swarthmore, David L. Miller (Gene) of Weston, Massachusetts, and Cynthia (Miller) Ozirsky (Timothy) of Andover, Massachusetts; twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren, He was an enormously proud and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Pete will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Upper Dublin Friends Meeting Cemetery in Ambler, Pennsylvania.
Visitation with the family will be available Wednesday evening, June 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home, 15 E. Fourth St., Media, PA 19063.
A memorial service will be held on July 1, 2021 at 10 a.m. in the White Horse Village Auditorium at 535 Gradyville Rd., Newtown Square, PA 19073. Due to Covid-19 limitations attendance will be limited and a reservation will be required. Masks and full vaccinations will be required. Reservations can be made by sending an email to Rick Miller at rickm@chester-jensen.com.
For those who cannot make a reservation, a reception will be held under a tent outside the entrance to the White Horse Village main building on July 1, 2021 from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers gifts may be made to the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, 727 Harvard Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081.
