Bennett Miller of Rockville, Maryland died on October 20, 2023 after a brief illness. He is survived by Patricia, his devoted wife of 62 years, his children Beth (Gregory) and Jeffrey (Shawn), his grandchildren Kayla, Bennett, Annie, and Gem, and by the many who called him a friend over 85 years of life.

 

Ben was born in New York City on January 18, 1938 to Meyer and Henrietta Miller. He grew up in Roselle, New Jersey with his older brother Robert. Ben attended Columbia University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1959 as president of his class. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and received a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship while pursuing his doctorate in physics. Ben received his PhD in 1965 and was a White House Fellows finalist. He went on to be a professor at Ohio State University. Ben worked for the federal government where he held leadership positions at the Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of Energy. He left government service to pursue alternative energy entrepreneurial ventures. He developed technology to reduce nuclear waste, built factories that converted wood waste into energy, and consulted on the building of a plant that created activated carbon for use in pollution control devices.

 

Ben married Patricia Schoenhut in 1961. From 1971 the couple raised their children in Montgomery Village and Laytonsville before settling in Potomac. Together they traveled the world and made themselves a constant presence in the lives of their grandchildren. The two recently moved to The Village at Rockville.

 

Ben’s days buzzed with physical and intellectual activity. He lettered in wrestling at Columbia and sang in the Men’s Chorus. He taught tennis and indulged his passions for scuba diving, hiking, and mountaineering. His academic interests were broad. Ben loved to gaze up at the stars and down at the poetry of Frost and Shelley. He was a lifelong learner and enjoyed exploring the mysteries of the universe. In later life he loved going on cruises with Pat and friends, playing chess, and spending time with his family.

 

Funeral services will be held at Hermon Presbyterian Church, 7801 Persimmon Tree Lane, Bethesda MD on Saturday, October 28, 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the church (www.TheHermonChurch.org) or buy someone you love three scoops of ice cream.