SANDPOINT — Sandpoint’s sunrise whisperer has retired into the heavens, and the heavens are exactly what people think of when they think of Kirk Miller.

Miller arose at 4 a.m. for the past 10+ years, consulted Doppler radar to see what kind of clouds were coming in, and went to Sandpoint City Beach and to Memorial Field to take 100-150 photos of the sunrise. He would then go home and cull photos, choosing the ones he thought people would like the most; he posted those on Facebook, along with a positive thought. His Facebook followers number 3,150.

Miller passed away last week on Tuesday, February 4 at age 66.

His photographs of sunrises are breathtaking. He took the photos for those of us who appreciate nature and beauty, but who don’t want to get up at 4 a.m. to layer up and try to make cold fingers work the camera while the lake whips its icy spindrift into the face. He did that for thousands of folks who enjoyed his stunning artistic perspectives of nature--painting with light and the lenses of his Cannon EOS 700.

Miller was not just the sunrise photographer. He was a man with well-rounded interests: he liked jazz and blues music, he had a keen interest in local and national politics, and he was an avid reader of fiction and mysteries, and was said to have read a book every two days. He was a Sudoku fanatic—a logic-based number-placement puzzle--and he was a very thoughtful person, especially when it came to his children, Heather, Chancey, and Makai; and grandchildren, Zoe, Fiona, Aaliyah, and Deegan.

Miller enjoyed mentoring and educating young or new photographers in the business, and he also photographed all types of birds and other water wildlife such as otters.

“He put his heart into everything he did, from writing his daily sayings, birthday cards, or getting you the perfect gift. He was very thoughtful,” said his daughter, Chauncey Miller Hartman, who grew up in Sandpoint, and now resides with her family in Joshua Tree, California.

His daughter said everyone has “the dulls” about now, mid-winter, but her father tried to alleviate these seasonal blues by posting his unbelievably colorful sunrises, along with an inspirational thought.

About 2 p.m. each day the past 20 years, Miller went to Eichardt’s for his two pints of Pike Stout. Much of the time he read library books while he was there, sitting at “C” bar with other regulars.

Miller met his wife, Natalie, at Eichardt’s and other family members have worked there over the years.

“Our paths have crossed over pints and books,” said Jesse Jennings, an Eichardt’s regular. “He was a friend this last 20 years. There was absolutely zero B.S. with him. He said exactly what he felt. He was a deep thinker and definitely approached life with an artistic bent. He absolutely will be missed,” Jennings said.

Servers at Eichardt’s were emotional Saturday as they pointed to Miller’s retired “Number 1” mug and Miller’s empty stool.

Doug Clark, employee at Eichardt’s, said Miller helped the business by posting the musical events and schedule on Facebook. “He knew how and when to do this, and kept in mind that Sandpoint is a ‘last-minute town,’ so he knew to post events 48 hours in advance instead of weeks in advance,” Clark said.

Clark said Miller worked at Quest before he retired and started to delve into photography. Clark described Miller as an educated man; “I believe he had three college degrees.

“It wasn’t that long ago when Kirk clocked in at his regular time, and now, a few weeks later, he is gone,” Clark said, adding that Miller was a “kind, generous man, with a few rough edges.”

Miller’s photography is featured in the Angels Over Sandpoint’s calendar, ‘Sunrises Over Sandpoint,’ 18-months of natural beauty, July 2019-December 2020, “and all the proceeds go to the Angels,” said an emotional Tami Burlingame, who has worked periodically at Eichardt’s, a place where the calendars may be purchased.

“Even while suffering from CPOD this past 10 years, and while he had a more difficult time pursuing his daily creative passion for sunrise photos, he continued his dedication for others, even though he was suffering every single day,” Chauncey said.

Miller was an organ donor; someone now has his vision, and maybe the ability to see the sunrise the way he did.

Miller’s celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, February 15 at Eichardt’s. “No sadness. Just good memories of happy times,” Chancey said, adding that everyone is invited.

Cheers, Kirk Miller.