Kirk H. Miller, national registered paramedic
Kirk H. Miller, 66, of Lewes passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, under the care of VITAS Hospice and surrounded by his friends and family.
Kirk was born in Norfolk, Va., Oct. 15, 1952, to the late Houston and Helen Jean (Kirks) Miller. He graduated Suffolk High School and enlisted in the USAF. After receiving an honorable discharge as an Airman First Class aircraft maintenance specialist, Kirk decided to go into public service.
Gaining inspiration from one of his favorite childhood television series, “Emergency,” Kirk decided to work his way to become a paramedic. He started as a fire fighter in Suffolk, Va., and later began riding the ambulance as an E.M.T. Kirk was one of the first cardiac techs, the precursor of a paramedic, in the state of Virginia in the late ‘70s and ‘80s.
In 1991 Kirk moved to Delaware with his family and became a part of history. Kirk was hired along with nine others to start and develop the first paramedic unit in Sussex County. Through their work and dedication the “Golden 10” became the symbols and inspiration for future paramedics to strive to become. Though his years as an SCEMS Paramedic Kirk climbed the ranks as a P1, P2, and supervisor. He was always a mentor and a teacher to the new paramedics, and maintained his love for the people and his duties to the public he served. After serving nearly 40 years in public service Kirk Miller retired from SCEMS in July 2010.
After Kirk retired he did what he loved. He went for long rides on his Harley. He loved to drive out to one of the local beaches, set up a chair, throw in a rod, and enjoy a nice cigar while watching the waves crash on the bay. He would pack up at a moment’s notice and go on a weekend camping trip with his trusty companion Maggie May. He made time for family and friends alike never, missing a chance to tell an old tale.
Kirk is survived by his three children, Eric Miller of Pikeville, N.C.., Marsha Webb and her husband Jon of Milton, and Gabrielle Pollard and her husband Josh of Milton; their mother, Dani Miller of Dagsboro; eight grandchildren, Alexander Miller, Abraham Webb, Austin Webb, Phoenix Miller, Ava Lynn Webb, Mikayla Pollard, Owen Pollard, and Asher Webb; a sister, Terry Copeland and her son Jimmie Copeland of Smithfield, N.C.; and a host of extended family in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, with a time of visitation from noon to 2 p.m. Directly following the funeral friends and family are invited to the Milton Fire Hall for refreshments and to sit and tell the Tales of Kirk. Interment will be held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
