___Benjamin A. Miller passed away on April 8, 2001, while vacationing in Lima, Peru. The cause of death was encefalopatia aguda, a rare genetic condition, which causes the brain and body systems to suddenly shut down. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. When he was 9 years old his family moved to Riverside, California where Ben finished his elementary, middle, and high school education. In high school, Ben bought his first motorcycle. This provided what Ben often called his "apprenticeship in metal". His greatest pleasure was to design and chop motorcycles, which remained a lifelong passion. graduation from high school, Ben joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany for 2 years. Before returning stateside, Ben traveled extensively throughout Europe and North Africa.

___In 1965, Ben returned to the US, where he visited his brother Gene Miller (1933-1999), who was a commercial diver living in Morgan City, Louisiana. Ben first worked as a tender for his brother and later broke out in 1966, thus beginning an eleven year career as a diver in the offshore industry.

___In 1967, Ben went to work for Ocean Systems Inc. where he had the opportunity to try many helmets and masks. This experience led Ben to design and build his own fiberglass helmet, and set him on the path as a manufacturer. In 1969, the bronze 100 Series helmet was built, followed in 1970 by the Miller quick release weight belt buckle. In November 1971, Ben designed the Miller Diving harness which remains today as the industry standard worldwide. The Miller 200 Series and 300 Series diving helmets followed respectively in 1972 and 1977. The current 400 Series diving helmet is truly a culmination of 30 years of experience. Ben left Morgan City in1978 and relocated to Harper, Texas. He wanted a place in the countryside away from crowds and pollution. He built his own house in the Tunisian style of North Africa and grew most of his own food.

___Over the past 14 years, Ben and his wife Jan raised sheep, goats, donkeys, llamas, emus and more. They really enjoyed a life together full of freedom and independence. Today, Miller Diving Equipment manufactures diving helmets, harnesses, and weight belts used worldwide throughout the commercial diving industry. They remain as a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of Benjamin A. Miller.

John R. Kane / Historical Diving Society USA

A NOTE ABOUT BEN'S PASSING:

We had gone to Peru for the adventure of a lifetime. We did the tourist thing for three weeks and saw it all. He laughed, raced up and down the temple steps at Macchu Picchu, was strong and full of fun. He died on Sunday after returning to Lima. He lived his life as a natural person, eating only natural foods, exercising both his body and mind. He was always inquisitive and thinking of something to create. At the time he left us, he was making plans about a Miller Poster. He was full of fun ideas and excited about getting together with the artist that afternoon.

While my grief is deep and personal, I will share that I want to celebrate his life and be thankful for beautiful memories. He was quite a guy. His ashes were placed on his ranch and a strong young oak tree was placed over them. I believe the oak tree will serve as his monument....a strong, natural, living memory.

My thanks to all of you,
Jan

Ben heading off on another great adventure.