Harley Daniel Miller, a beloved husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia, Washington, at the age of 88. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Sharon (Wakefield) Miller; six beautiful daughters: Marti Hall (Shaun), Kellie Hall, Carrie Bixel (Doug), Jennifer Sarthou, Tara Miller (Tyler) and Rachel Miller (Nick); 10 grand- and great-grandchildren; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Born in Eureka, South Dakota, on May 2, 1936, to Daniel and Olga Miller, Harley’s early years were spent on his family’s farm. His elementary school years were spent in a one-room schoolhouse. He attended high school in Eureka, which he finished in three years. After graduating with a degree in chemistry from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, Harley was accepted to Loma Linda Medical School in California, where he completed his M.D. training in 1962. He interned at D.C. General Hospital and the D.C. Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. While in a surgery residency at San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton, California, Harley was drafted. He served his country in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps during the Vietnam War, working in Native health care services for Alaska’s interior. He cared for Native patients from the Canadian border to the Bering Sea, up to Point Barrow on the Arctic Ocean. During this time, Harley became a pilot and often flew to care for 26 remote Native villages separated by great distances. He ended his service with the rank of lieutenant commander.
He started his civilian medical career in family practice in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, in 1965. In 1967, he joined Dr. Lester Steck in Chehalis, Washington, at what is now known as Steck Medical Group on Bishop Road. In his early years in practice at Steck, Harley delivered several hundred babies, many of whom are still living in the Lewis County area, and many of whom he continued to care for—along with their children and grandchildren—until his passing.
During the past 58 years, Harley was involved in many health- and medical-related projects in Lewis County and beyond. Harley was well known in the community for his quiet, gentle demeanor. He was still carrying on the legacy of Steck Medical Group, caring for his patients up until the day he was hospitalized in February.
Harley enjoyed farming and gardening, history and travel. He and Sharon traveled to many destinations, including Soviet Russia and Europe, researching the family history of his German grandparents. He especially enjoyed going on mission trips to countries such as Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Norway and Poland.
A memorial celebration of life for Harley Miller will be held on May 17, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the Chehalis Seventh-day Adventist Church, 120 Chilvers Road, Chehalis, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Maranatha Volunteers International, Love INC of Lewis County, Lewis County Gospel Mission or another charity of your choice.
While he will be dearly missed by his family, friends, patients, employees and all who knew him, his family finds peace in knowing we will be with him again in heaven someday.
