Captain Peter Lang Miller

2/26/1963-2/4/2018

Oakland, CA

We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of our dear dad, partner and friend who spent his final moments on a boat in the San Francisco Bay enjoying a sunny and breezy day.

We remember him with affection and a wry smile.  He was motivated almost exclusively by the moral obligation to do what was right (regardless of the opinion of local law enforcement).  He was intensely proud of his children and enjoyed a close relationship with them (built almost entirely upon embarrassing them in front of their friends).  He was madly in love with his partner, Jenny, with whom he enjoyed fifteen years of laughter and adventure.

Peter was born in Buffalo, NY, brought up in Perrysburg, OH, and later in Portland and Mount Desert, Maine.  He earned a BA in Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara and went on to earn his captain’s license, which kept him happily employed on boats large and small, often far from shore.

His deep sense of curiosity and passion for life led him to forge close friendships through shared interests as diverse as motorcycling, sailing, carpentry, mountain biking, cooking and marathon running (briefly).  He was a rough and tough free spirit, equally happy driving across the country in his ’91 sleeper van as he was sailing across the Pacific on a fancy yacht.  In January he celebrated 29 years of continuous sobriety.

He overcame tremendous challenges in life, often of his own making, but he eventually built a life for himself and his family that brought him satisfaction and happiness.

He is survived by his two daughters Josephine “Joss” of Burlington, VT, and Lang of Oakland, his partner, Jenny Verre, his mother Nan of Mount Desert, ME, his sister Natalie (Tim) of Santa FE, NM, brothers Jerry (Kathy) also of Mount Desert, Christopher of Santa Barbara, CA, Bruce Olsen (Teri) of Hiawassee, GA, his rescue dog Sadie and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.  His father, Gerard, and brother Andrew predeceased him.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Peter's life on Saturday, February 10th  from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Redwood Bowl Picnic Area in the Redwood Regional Park, Oakland. His family will plan a private ceremony to scatter his ashes at a later date.  In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to Alcoholics Anonymous in his name, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163.

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