Eugene ‘Gene’ Lantz Miller, 89

Eugene “Gene” Lantz Miller, of Coeur d’Alene, 89, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2011.

Gene was preceded in death by his son, Kirk Miller.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Ellen Miller; his children, Patrick Miller and Kathleen Seppi; his grandchildren, Justin Seppi, Nathan Seppi, Charles Miller, Keith Miller, Bret Miller and Tara Miller.  

Born March 1, 1922, in Shelby, Ohio, to H.H. and Mary Miller. Gene was the second youngest of five children. He grew up in Medford, Ore., where he played basketball and football in high school. Gene moved back to Ohio to attend the University of Toledo before enlisting in the Army in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces, flying B-17 and B-29 bombers. Following his term in the service, Gene attended the University of Idaho, earning his law degree.

Gene enjoyed a long and successful career as an attorney in Coeur d’Alene beginning in 1949. He was admitted to the U.S. District Court of Idaho in 1949, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit in 1953 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002. Gene became a senior partner at Paine Hamblen in 1986, where he practiced professional liability litigation until his retirement in 2006. During this time, he served as legal adviser and general counsel to several North Idaho hospitals. In 1995, Gene was honored as the Distinguished Lawyer of the Year by the Idaho State Bar Association.  

Gene’s impact reached far beyond the legal community, as he was also heavily involved in many community service activities. He served on the Idaho State Board of Education for five years and became President of the Board in 1983. He was a member of Rotary International for 18 years, served on the University of Idaho Board of Regents and was on the Board of Directors of Lake City General Hospital. He was also active in the F.O.E. No. 486 Eagles, the Boy Scouts Advisory Council and a member of the B.P.O. Elks, where he served as both the Local and District Exalted Ruler. While serving as President of the Idaho State Bar from 1970 to 1971, he attended the President’s Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. Gene was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene.

In his free time, Gene was an avid golfer and swimmer. In his retirement he enjoyed playing cards and spending time with his family at his Fernan Lake Home. Gene will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2011, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign Gene’s guest registry and view his memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the Inland Northwest Council — Boy Scouts of America or Hospice of North Idaho.