In memory of

Richard "Rich" Anthony Miller Jr

St. Louis, MO

July 17, 1967 - May 17, 2025

Jul 17, 1967 - May 17, 2025

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In memory of

Richard "Rich" Anthony Miller Jr

Passed

May 17, 2025
Born

July 17, 1967
Resided

St. Louis, MO

Photo

Please consider a donation to Rich Miller Family Fund - Transplant/Menorial.

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How you can help

We are raising money to help support Rich's family during this difficult time. The fund began to help Rich & his kids in the transplant process and post transplant.

Donations will be used to help his kids with funeral costs, educational, home and help after losing their dad unexpectedly. All 3 lived with Rich.
Rich passed away May 17. 2025.
Rich found out he had an autoimmune disease (AIH) attacking his organ in late April.
Rich did not drink or use drugs or anything to have his body turn on his liver. His skin and eyes turned yellow. He thought maybe his gall bladder could be an issue like his coworker. After a couple hospital visits, tests and follow up visits Rich was diagnosed with AIH and put on steroids.
He had follow up appointments, but ended up in the ER late April due to confusion and weakness.
He was placed in ICU at St Lukes and a transplant doctor was contacted that night.
Rich was accepted from a wonderful transplant doctor at SLU and transferred from St Lukes.
The family and Rich all met the transplant doctor and the transplant team members in the coming days.
Rich gained strength and completed all tests and procedures to be considered for transplant and listed on the registry.
He was accepted and placed on the liver transplant list.
His kids stepped up and participated and learned along everything required to support Rich before and after transplant.
Rich and his family learned about his new diet, forever medicines, immune system care post transplant and details about each step, meeting with transplant team members for each aspect.
Rich stayed positive and just asked what next step was needed and he did it.
Stress test and endoscopy and colonoscopy on the same day. He Drank the entire jug of precolon liquid in 3 hours - had that kind of night- then had to drink 1/2 the giant container the next morning in 15 minutes because things were not clear.
He Never complained or moaned about it.
He Did his stress test including leg lifts and all in the morning. They told him they wished all their patients were like him.
That afternoon he had an endoscopy and colonoscopy. The first time since a young child he was under anesthesia. He was nervous, but did great
The next day he had oral surgery. They pulled a couple back teeth to get ready for transplant.
He did All the steps needed to be considered for transplant. With a positive attitude. One step at a time in a short amount of time.

He was even allowed to go home (well Missys house) for a couple days to relax and get away from sick people while he waited for transplant. On his way home he felt the sunshine, asked to drive to the engine shop and see his buddy Rick then go to the Malt Shop before settling in and watching NHL playoffs with his kids and niece and nephew. A big day!
He had home PT visit on Friday May 16. He walked and did leg lifts and everything asked if him. The PT said his oxygen was 90 and to let his transplant team know it was a bit low but otherwise on track.
Friday afternoon we spoke with the transplant coordinator and transplant doctors nurse who suggested we get him checked at SLU er. He was very tired and not able to get up by afternoon.
Richs nephews lifted him up to help get to the car.
A tornado had just touched down in the city of St Louis around the same time. The ER at SLU was filled. Someone gave up their wheelchair for Rich when they saw how wrak he was.
A doctor walked by as we gave our information at triage. The Dr noticed his BP was extremely low and said he had to be taken back immediately.
He was seen by a doctor right away. Soon a transplant team doctor visited us. Rich's arm had swelled up, turned very sore and would not bend. The doctor thought it could be an infection. They began treatment and the plan was to scan it as soon as possible. They decided to admit him back to the floor he had left a couple days prior.
Rich got settled in. Had something to drink and some orange sherbet. Around 2am he wanted me to go home and get rest. He had to go to the bathroom but was too weak to get up. He did not want me to be there for that part. Our cousin who is an NP called and suggested I stay and just talk to him through the night. I should have. I did not know that would be my last time hearing his voice.
Richs daughters visited him Saturday morning. They said he was not himself and called me. When I left they talked about giving him pain meds. He had not taken any before so I assumed it was related to pain med. The transplant doctor and surgeon and other team members then showed up.
We thought he may be getting a transplant but we were wrong. His BP was dropping quickly and he needed oxygen.
I saw the transplant doctor who met with us in the ER outside his room. He said they needed to stabilize him then get him to be scanned as soon as possible.
They quickly had a team responding and intubated him and took him to the ICU.
The transplant head doctor for that week and Chaplan sat us down. We knew things were not going in the right direction. They said they temporarily were taking him off the transplant list until they could scan him and see if an infection or internal bleeding could be found. He had to be stable to scan. We thought the biggest issue at that time was the transplant list. It was a weekend we all thought he would get his transplant. We did not know in a few hours he would be gone.

They worked on him in the ICU and brought blood in timeless times, put lines through his neck, did everything to get him stable. Teams of amazing angels running in and out.
We were able to see him in the middle and let him know we were there and loved him.

While in the waiting room the doctor came out to explain his blood was not able to maintain its structure.
The codes began going off on the floor and we saw more angels run toward his room.
Another doctor came out and confirmed he passed.
The worst day for his kids. As his sister who he trusted in this process the reality hit. Everything he planned, loved and his light was no longer. His kids lived with him, he found his racing family, had provided stability, helped and stepped up for his family after losing his dad in a boat accident.
He had found a happy time in his life. He told me how happy he was many times as he drove home from work or the track.

We were all together in the waiting room after the doctors and chaplan came to see us all. We stayed for a couple hours crying and trying to wrap our hearts and minds around what just happened.
We were able to go in and sad said our goodbyes. Hardest thing any of us have done.

The kids live with Rich. Nobody knew what to do. How to go back home. Leaving meant beginning this next chapter without him. Where to start. What to do.
He fixed everything . He Was the quiet backbone for so many. Always helping someone without wanting a thing in return. He was just there. Like the air or gravity to us. Never sick. Never made a big deal out of anything. He was just there for all of us. His kids. His sister, brother, exwife, friends, family. All of us.

Rich found drag racing and the racing community years ago. It was where he loved to spend his free time.
Rich was a machinist at Mueller Machine until it closed years ago. He then began working at G&H tool & Dye. He enjoyed working there and they looked out for him. His coworkers encouraged him to go
In and get checked when his skin and eyes turned yellow. His coworkers all looked out for eachother and followed up with him. His G&H family have stayed with him each step of the way. We are grateful.

Rich's weekend time was spent coaching softball when his kids were younger. He began drag racing a few years ago and found his racing family. He spent his free time at the shop with his Bad Rat racing family. The Thomas family, the race track family and the racing community stepped up for Rich and his kids since he found out he was sick. They showed him love and support along with his long time friends from growing up. They are even having a race for him & donating to help Rich & his kids.

Rich quietly impacted many lives in his short 57 year. It is something none of us realized until everyone began sharing their memories. The kids and family are forever grateful for those sharing his impact, memories and helping his kids through this time.
We are all incredibly grateful for everyone's love and support.
Race Date & Service Dates:
June 21 & June 29
June 21 Race : Skeleton Raceway in Sikeston is having a memorial race/fundraiser and celebration of Rich at the racetrack. No words to express how the racing community stepped up through it all.
June 29 - Life celebration at Tapawingo in Sunset Hills. Food, family, friends , coworkers, racing friends. We Hope to see everyone at the race track and/or at the gathering at Tapawingo with his friends and family.
Thank you again,
The Miller & Boccardi Family Contribute