Russell H.

Miller, III

            Russell Harrison Miller III was born July 14, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He came from Quaker and Pennsylvania Dutch roots. Russell, age 86, of Telford, PA, passed away on Saturday September 12, 2026, at the Lutheran Community at Telford in Telford, PA. He was married to Judy Miller for 55 years. He is predeceased by his father Russell Miller, Jr., his mother Emma Oldham Miller, sister Arlene Miller Nordon, and nephew Thomas Russell Nordon. He is survived by his wife Judy Achor Miller, and his brother Edward Albert Miller.

            Russell started working at the Oldham family greenhouse as a six-year-old member of the family team. He was called “little heck” by his grandfather Oldham. Russell endeared himself to his Grandpop and his grandfather’s cronies, helping pot plants and mow lawns at nearby church cemeteries.

            When he was an elementary aged student, his mother bought the World Book Encyclopedia. The boy devoured the books, drinking in facts from A to Z. As a sixth grader, Russell especially liked working on the sixth-grade newspaper. He attended Abington High School and achieved an excellent score in Social Sciences (History) on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

            While working his way through college, he attended Penn State at the Ogontz campus before transferring to Main Campus. Within those years, he became close friends with Herb Krauss and Herman Ehret. They passionately loved America and entered into lively intellectual discussions on a wide range of topics . With those two young men in his life, he discovered his own deep roots in a love of learning. Russell is the last of the three “curmudgeons” to die.

            Russ graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. At the University of Maryland, he went on to earn a master’s degree and PhD, specializing in medieval literature. As a teaching assistant he was paid for a job he found intellectually stimulating and joyful. Russell had found his calling.

            In the last year of his doctoral program, he applied for jobs at many institutions. Tapped for the position as a medieval literature professor, Russell moved to California to teach at Cal State Fullerton.

            In the Spring of 1969, he had a senior in class who he mentored. After the semester ended, they dated. In 1971, Russell proposed and married Judy Achor. They married in the company of his kid brother, parents, the sexton of the church and the minister. Immediately following the ceremony, they flew to London for a seven-week honeymoon. The marriage took as they developed friends and relationships within their family. They had no children.

            Along with a precocious student, Dennis O’Brien, he created the Medieval Festival. Attended by students of elementary age to college, the festival became an event for several years. Dr. Miller also led two overseas tours of Chaucer’s England and developed another tour, King Arthur’s Britain. He gave research for the second tour to a good friend and colleague. Russell’s colleague William Koon went on to lead three tours, with his own enigmatic touch. Again, the student Russ and Bill mentored helped guide the travelers to successful learning.

            Russell established the Office of Academic Advisement to guide incoming and current, especially first generation, students. He left that post to return to teaching.

           In 1978, Russell and Judy relocated to Green Lane, PA, to establish Iron Master’s Mansion Antiques. For 45 years, the couple specialized in 18th and 19th century British and American antiques, and native American art. Russell researched the origins of each piece, the use of the antique and noted any flaws. Known as frugal and honest, he was a thorough researcher. With a large library of reference books, he read each book twice and three times. In sales, Russ always sought to educate the buyer on the history, use and condition of the antique.

            Russ traveled to antique shows to market his wares from Maine to Virginia. He maintained booths at General Heath Antiques in Adamstown, PA. At the age of 83, Russ reluctantly retired from the business. He grew in knowledge and friendships. Russell was a member of the Bucks County Antiques Dealers Association.

            Russell and Judy moved to the Lutheran Community at Telford in January of 2020. In March Covid hit, and we all have our own stories about the pandemic.

            Although they had no children of their own, children were a large part of their lives including college students of Russell’s and those of Judy’s elementary school. They were aunt and uncle to several nieces and nephews in Pennsylvania and Texas: Tim Nordon and wife Melissa, Shawn Achor and wife Michelle Gielan, Amy Achor Blankson and husband Kwabena “BoBo” Blankson, Harrison Miller, Ashley Nordon, Christian Miller, Isabella Miller, Christiana Blankson, Gabriella Blankson, Kobi Lyn Blankson, Leo Achor, Zoe Achor, and Gabriella Spessard. He had dreams and expectations for each of them and found joy in their take on Life’s transitions. With Judy, he offered travel liberally sprinkled with historical background or scientific learning. At age 82, he remarked “We should have had children.” That ship had sailed! However, they had rich relationships with remarkably good people. These children are the joys of a lifetime.

            Russell also loved nature, old houses, travel, history, family genealogy, beautiful objects, Native Americans and was a Philadelphia Phillies fan. He read a book a day most of his life.

            Gladly did he learn, and gladly did he teach.

            Memorial gifts may be addressed to the Millers’ favorite charities: Benevolent Care Fund, C/O Alyssa Guers, 12 Lutheran Home Drive, Telford, PA 18969, Checks made out to Lutheran Community at Telford Memo: Memory of Russell Miller, Indian Valley Public Library, C/O Nick Hagdorn, 100 E. Church Avenue, Telford, PA 18969 Memo: In honor of Russell Miller Option 1-online, National Park Foundation, Link to Tribute Donation Form  www.nationalparks.org/tribute. You will need Judy’s mailing address: Judy Miller,12 Lutheran Home Drive, PC 244, Telford, PA 18969-1728, Option 2-mail in check, National Park Foundation, P O Box 17394, Baltimore, MD 21298-9450,Memo: Russell Miller Include a letter with your name and address to receive a Tribute Letter from NPF as well as acknowledgement from Judy

            A memorial service with visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Lutheran Community at Telford, 12 Lutheran Home Drive, Telford, PA  18969 in the Rose Chapel at 11:00 AM.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

            Arrangements are by Sadler-Suess Funeral Home & Crematory, 33 N. Main Street, Telford, PA  18969.