Obituary of Alan-N. Miller

MILLER--Alan Noel, Dr., 76, passed away on Friday, August 20th after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Alan was widowed after 37 years of marriage to Libby Shana Halpern Miller, PhD. Prior to becoming a nephrologist, Dr. Miller earned an MBA in Finance and also had a career as an engineer. He served as a captain in the Special Forces training Green Berets. Alan was a loving and generous man with strong principles and convictions. An avid learner, he continued his education and quest for knowledge by taking classes at Columbia University all his life. He fostered others' desire for higher education through the sponsorship of mentoring programs and scholarships. Dr. Miller was a devoted Columbia man. He worked tirelessly to keep his class of 1956 connected and served as their president for many years. He also wrote the Class News for the Columbia Paper on a quarterly basis, and fellow "Columbians" referred to him as "The Class Act." A dedicated advocate of the 3x5 index card form of organization, he was also a proud cigar smoker, stock watcher and wine collector. Ol' Doc Al, or GGA, Grumpy Grandpa Al, as so lovingly referred to by his grandchildren, will be deeply missed. Always larger than life, he leaves a huge hole in his death. He is survived by his partner, Helene Ruddy, his mother Iris Miller, his daughter and son in law, Elisa Miller and Greg Griffin, his daughter, Jennifer van Voorst van Beest, his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Maurice Kupritz, his sister and brother-in-law, Mona and Lee Berg, his grandchildren, Zachary and Elana Griffin, Elijah and Isaac van Voorst van Beest and many other close relatives and friends. We love you doc. God speed. The funeral will be held at Riverside Memorial Chapel on 76th St. and Amsterdam Ave. on Sunday August 22nd at 11:45am. A graveside service will follow at Sharon Gardens. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Columbia College Class of 1956/Alan N. Miller Scholarship would be greatly appreciated. We will be sitting shiva at 257 Central Park West, Apt 9D beginning Sunday evening after 6pm and during the week between 11am-9pm.