"As a little boy, he was digging in the dirt with his feet. His toe struck a little iron truck," said his Madeline Miller. "He carried it home, treasuring it his whole life. We still have it. His collection today amounts to about 100 iron toys."

Mr. Miller, formerly of Withamsville, died Monday at age 92.

Mr. Miller's career with the YMCA spanned 44 years. He began with the organization as a counselor in Virginia, advancing to the position of executive director at the University branch of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, where he stayed for 27 years.

During his years at the University branch, he helped organize the Queen City Balladeers and the Wise Owl Coffeehouse.

"Dad took my sister and me to many events at the Y. It was great exposure for us. We learned how to ballroom dance, and we met many interesting people through the international celebrations and dinners they had," his daughter said.

When he retired in 1979, Mr. Miller was honored with the Award of Excellence during University of Cincinnati graduation exercises. He was the first non-faculty member to receive the award, his daughter said.

Mr. Miller was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. At the national convention in 1985, he was awarded with a citation and medal of distinguished service, which is the highest honor for service to the fraternity, according to his daughter. In 1995, Ohio Epsilon gave a scholarship in his name.

"Dad always had a pipe in his mouth and a smile on his face," his daughter said. "When we named my son after him, the president of UC, Henry Winkler, wrote my newborn son a letter. He told him how special my father was and to be proud to carry his name. That meant so much to us."

Mr. Miller's wife, Jeannette L. Rodgers Miller, died previously.

Other survivors include another daughter, Dorothy J. Miller; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Services are at 10 a.m. today at Mount Moriah United Methodist Church Chapel in Withamsville.

Memorials: YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, 1105 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45210.

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E-mail mlistermann@enquirer.com