Dr. Robert "Bobby" Holt Miller

Dr. Robert Holt Miller (“Bobby”), age 87, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2023, following an extended illness. He was born on November 8, 1935 to Frank Hoten Miller and Verna Sharp Miller, and was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville. The youngest of seven children, he placed deep importance on family bonds; he was born, lived, and died at the same Arlington property to which his parents moved over 100 years ago.

A child prodigy on the piano, he began playing at the age of two, and through his teenage years shared his considerable talent with audiences at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and many other venues. A Florida Times-Union music critic described one of Bobby’s performances as “superlative” and “on the order of incredible.” Ultimately, however, Bobby felt a different calling and entered the field of medicine, becoming a gifted pediatric cardiologist. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine and completed his medical internship at University Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, and his pediatric residency and pediatric cardiology fellowship at the University of Florida.

He met his bride-to-be and lifelong best friend, Judith, while he was a medical student and she was a nurse. They married in 1962 and had the joy of celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary shortly before his death.

In 1969 Dr. Miller became the first board-certified pediatric cardiologist in Jacksonville and initiated the establishment of a citywide pediatric cardiology program, beginning a long history of service to the children of this community. In the 1980s he also led the initial development of citywide neonatal and pediatric critical care programs.

In 1996 a trust was funded through the Baptist Medical Center Foundation, the Robert H. Miller Visiting Lectureship, for a nationally recognized leader in pediatric cardiac medicine, surgery, or research. One year later, Dr. Miller became the first Glenn Chuck Professorship in Pediatric Cardiology Endowed Chair.

Through the 1990s, as Division Director of Pediatric Cardiology at University Hospital of Jacksonville (now UF Shands), he led the recruitment of numerous outstanding physicians to continue increasing the range of pediatric cardiology sub-specialties that could be offered to infants and children in the Jacksonville community. His greatest joy came from being a practicing physician, and he continued to see patients until his retirement in 2004.

Often demonstrating an outwardly “tough” demeanor and humorous dry wit, Dr. Miller had nothing but softness in his heart for the many children he cared for in his career, and for his own children and grandchildren, to whom he passed along his love of music, literature, science, and animals, and his joy in exploring the natural world, especially our national parks. Dr. Miller will be remembered and loved as a giving, kind, and humble servant to his patients and their families, and as an exemplar of dedication to family.

Dr. Miller is survived by his wife, Judith; daughters Kimberly and Tara, son-in-law Alex, and grandchildren Joel and Jamie, in addition to many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by, and now joyfully reunited with, his siblings William, Betty Jean, Richard, Mary Sue, Frank, and David.

A memorial service for Robert will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 at 4:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 SAN JOSE BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or to Community Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation.