Martin Richard Miller

Martin Richard Miller died peacefully following a stroke on December 10, 2024. He was born on June 10, 1939 in Bremerton, Washington to Martin and Margaret Miller. A lifelong traveler and 50 year resident of Alexandria, he worked overseas extensively in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Martin is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Valentina, son Russell and his wife Amy, grandchildren Madeline and Emma, daughter Lauren, brother Bruce and sisters Linda and Kim, and Valentina’s children Maxim and Marina and their children. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Olivia (d. 2021).

Martin grew up in a Navy family, living on both coasts, in Tennessee, and in Hawaii. He was always outgoing and eager to meet new people, a quality his siblings shared. Following graduation from high school in Norfolk, Martin attended George Washington University, where he majored in International Relations. After completing graduate work in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina, he returned to the Washington area to work for local governments, Metro, and private industry. A series of consulting assignments starting in the 1990s focused on international development projects in diverse locales such as Indonesia, Taiwan, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Philippines, Korea, Afghanistan, Liberia, Cote d'Ivore, Madagascar, South Africa, and Colombia. It was on an assignment in Kharkiv, Ukraine that Martin met his wife Valentina, with whom he saw much of the world.

Martin was active, if not athletic, and spent fifty years on local soccer fields, first as a coach and then as a referee and linesman, usually working Washington embassy league and college games. In later years he would bring his uniform on foreign assignments, talking his way onto fields to serve as a guest official; he also found time to run and then drink with local Hash House Harriers. When between assignments back in Alexandria, he filled his time driving a cab, and then in a final flourish, operating as a ride-share driver. A stroke in 2018 put an end to both international travel and local driving, but years later he was proud to note he had had 12,000 riders and averaged more than four stars in that time. He is remembered for the sparkle in his eyes as he would recount his adventures and the people he'd met to friends and family.

The family will hold a celebration of Martin’s life in the coming months. For those so inclined, the family suggests that donations in Martin’s memory be made to the charity of your choice.