Samuel B. Miller, outstanding athlete
Delaware lost one of its favorite sons Monday, May 19, 2014. Samuel B. "Sam" Miller passed away peacefully at home at the age of 60 surrounded by his family.
Sam was raised in Middletown where, among other sports, he excelled at football. Although Sam received athletic as well as academic recognition in the way of scholarship offers from Universities throughout the country, Sam decided to keep his homegrown talents in Delaware and attended the University of Delaware.
According to UD, Sam was one of the most dominating defensive linemen in UD football history and led the squad to two NCAA Tournament appearances as a three-year starter. He earned All-American notice four times and also earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors.
He earned All East honors three straight years and remains the only down lineman in UD history to lead the squad in tackles for an entire season in addition to once holding a record 10 quarterback sacks.
A Newark and Wilmington Touchdown Club Outstanding Senior Defensive Player Award recipient, he graduated as Delaware’s leading career tackler and still ranks number two all-time among players who spent their entire careers as a lineman.
After graduating with a degree in history from University of Delaware in 1976, Sam earned his law degree from Widener University School of Law in 1981 and for the past 30 years has worked as an investment banker in public finance. Most recently, Sam has been active as Managing Director in the Capital Markets Group at Piper Jaffray, Philadelphia, Pa.
Sam was inducted into the DE Athletics Hall of Fame in November 2013. He was also recently honored when Middletown Mayor and Council proclaimed Jan. 1, 2014 “Sam Miller Day” during the annual Hummers Day Parade.
Sam gave invaluable joy and kindness to all who knew him and lived into the philosophy that the value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.
His father Evan F. “Dutch” Miller preceded Sam in death. He is survived by his wife, Cristi; and his mother Charlotte; sisters Debbie Heverin, Cindy Craig and Patty (Jay) Prettyman; his mother-in-law Barbara Chastain; his brother-in-law Curt (Kristen) Chastain; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sam’s memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, at 1 p.m., at Bible Fellowship Church of Newark, 808 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark. A reception with light refreshments will be served immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: University of Delaware Athletic Fund, Bob Carpenter Center, 631 South College Ave., Room 239, Newark, DE 19716. Please make checks payable to “University of Delaware”, and include on the memo line “In Memory of Sam Miller” as a fund is being established in his name to assist student athletes.
