01/26/2024
We are unilaterally renaming the Old Time Rippin' Jam as the Bob Miller Memorial Jam. Won't be on the printed program, but if you know, you know. Bob was a CWRU alum, and we hope this gesture will honor him. What a remarkable person!
Robert A. Miller, PhD, of Brecksville, passed away quietly at home after a long and courageous battle with ALS disease on December 4, 2023. He was 76 years old.
Bob was born in Youngstown, Ohio the son of Alden and Peggy Miller. He grew up in Girard, Ohio and was a 1965 graduate of Girard High School. Bob received his Bachelor of Science degree in Inorganic Chemistry from Youngstown State University and earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University.
After completing his doctorate, Bob began a 43-year career at NASA-Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. While at NASA, Bob conducted ground-breaking research into Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBSs), which at the time, had only begun to be considered for protecting components in turbines and advanced combustors. Through his research, Bob published a wide variety of primary references that helped grow the TBC industry into the important industry it is today.
A disciplined and rigorous researcher, Bob authored or co-authored over 150 research papers and held 15 patents. His work continues to be extensively cited globally with thousands of citations in "Google" scholar.
While at NASA, Bob received the "Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal", the Abe Silverstein Medal for Outstanding Research and several other research awards. After retiring from NASA in 2013, Bob continued to serve as a part-time researcher until 2019. As a testament to his contributions to the Coating's industry, Bob was inducted into the international "Thermal Spray Society" Hall of Fame in 2020.
One of Bob's greatest loves in life was music, especially "old time" music which served as the precursor to "blue grass". He was an accomplished mandolin, banjo and guitar player and loved playing with his friends in the "White House Brothers" band over the years.
The band "played gigs" all over the Cleveland area as well as a variety of music festivals and fiddle conventions in Ohio and nearby states. Bob put the same energy and passion into his music that he put into his research, and he played until he was no longer able due to illness.
WRUW-FM 91.1 Cleveland
Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Assn.
Ken Roby, Village Blacksmith
