John R. “Bob” Miller’s interest in aviation started as a young boy (about 12 years old) when he joined the Martinsburg, West Virginia squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Once a week, he would go to the meetings hoping for an opportunity to get into an airplane and fly with a seasoned pilot. As a member of the CAP, he was able to fly on various missions looking for downed airplanes. He also had the opportunity to fly in a T-33 Jet Trainer (an Air National Guard plane). Bob would say that it was so exciting to see “Air Force One” practice their maneuvers over this hometown airport.
In 1961, Bob graduated from Martinsburg High School and joined the Air Force for a career in ground radio electronics and microwave communications. He was stationed at various bases including Lackland, TX, two (2) stints at Keesler in MS as well as overseas assignments in the Azores and Greenland (supporting the DEW – Air Defense Early Warning line). In 1968, Bob left the military to earn a degree in Pharmacy from West Virginia University. He graduated in 1974. Once out of school, he became the managing pharmacist for a drug store in Detroit, MI.
He started taking flying lessons, in 1976, with Curt Burbey, earning his primary airplane, single engine-land rating in June 1978. Curt was a World War II civilian instructor pilot. (He was color-blind, so he was not able to enlist in the service.)
Bob purchased Bashur Pharmacy in Detroit, MI in 1979. He increased the business revenues approximately 500% in the first two years of ownership. As he built his drug store he also continued pursuing his love of flying earning various certifications and ratings including Instructor Pilot. The following was the sequence of his aviation ratings:
06-18-78 Airplane single engine – land
04-24-83 Instrument Airplane
04-19-84 Ground Instructor
07-25-84 Commercial Pilot
07-27-84 Flight Instructor
04-27-85 Multi Engine rating
11-07-85 Flight Instructor – Instrument
01-24-86 Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft-Helicopter (Additional)
02-07-86 Flight Instructor – Helicopter
10-15-86 Flight Instructor – Multi Engine Rating
10-15-86 Airplane Single Engine – Sea
In 1984, a fire completely consumed the Bashur Pharmacy building. After several months of trying to rebuild his business, Bob decide to pursue a career in an area he truly loved – aviation. That was when “Bob Miller Flight & Ground Instruction” began. This business provided training for Airplane Single & Multi-Engine, Instrument airplane, Seaplane and Helicopter. The business had a fleet of Cessna aircraft (150s, 172s, 182 and 310). Over the next 18 years Bob instructed several hundred aviation enthusiasts many earning various ratings. He prided himself in the fact that only two (2) students failed their check ride. None of the pilots Bob instructed have ever had an aviation accident. In this second business, Bob once again proved he had great business acumen.
His love of flying continued throughout his life. Because he was very well trained and knowledgeable on this industry he was often used as a subject matter expert. He gave a lot of his time to his students as well as his peers. Bob believed poorly trained pilots simply had a license to kill themselves. When he encountered a student that didn’t respect the importance of following the regulations or had an arrogant approach to aviation, he refused to train them. He was always focused on safety and taught his students how to recover from any situation they may face in the air. Bob also volunteered as Pilot for the Civil Air Patrol – hoping to give back children in the community the exciting experiences that he had as a young child.
On November 13, 2002 Bob died suddenly. Up to the day he died he was grateful to have had the opportunity to have an aviation career. He loved flying. His students revered him and were as devastated by his death as his family.
It is my pleasure to have him honored on the Exploration Wall of Honor in the National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C.
Pat Rabaut Miller