Obituary of Christopher P. Miller

Christopher Paul Miller of Saint Mary’s Drive, Allegany went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 2, 2024, in the loving presence of his family. Born on February 13, 1956, in Olean, New York, he was the son of the late Andrew “Don” and Pauline Miller. Chris’s childhood was largely spent in the woods of Knapp Creek. It was here he developed a love of the outdoors that lasted his lifetime. He would often help his father on his oil leases, which sparked an interest that shaped his future. After graduating from Archbishop Walsh High School, Chris went on to earn his BS in Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering at Penn State. While there, he was hired to teach Physics, worked as a Calculus tutor, and, in his senior year, he received 14 job offers. He later attended St. Bonaventure University, where he earned his MBA. Although Chris didn’t talk about it, he was a member of the Mensa International High IQ Society. After graduation Chris took a job with Marathan Oil Co. in Illinois where he was recognized as an innovator and was promoted above his peers. He later returned to New York and began working for Arrowhead Gas Producers before taking a position at the NYS DEC. While at the DEC, he was promoted to the head of the Allegany Minerals Department overseeing the oil and gas wells across 5 counties. When he wasn’t at work, Chris was helping others and even won an award for his five years of service as a House Captain with the Christmas in April organization. Chris’s life forever changed after he returned to New York and purchased his first home in 1982. That summer, he held a housewarming party where, accompanying her friends, Sandra Sobey walked through his front door. For Chris, it was love at first sight. He spent the upcoming months trying to win Sandy over and, once he did, they were inseparable. Chris and Sandy were married on September 15, 1984. The couple welcomed 3 sons, Christopher, Jeremy, and Troy, in short succession. He was a very hands-on Dad who camped with his sons from the time they were in diapers, took them to amusement parks, spent endless days with them at Allegany State Park, and went on family fishing trips. Chris loved his family deeply and valued every moment he spent with them. As empty nesters, Chris and Sandy often traveled, attended concerts, danced, biked rails to trails throughout NY and PA, went to Bonnies games, enjoyed drives around town, rode their side-by-side through wooded trails, swam in their pool, and spent evenings by the campfire. Sandy was the love of Chris’s life, and not a day went by when he didn’t remind her of that. Chris remained active throughout his life and could often be found on the Allegany River Valley Trail. Every morning, he would wake up around 4am, without an alarm, and head straight to the trail to walk 5 to 6 miles before work. It was here that he developed a close friendship with Dr. Kevin Watkins, who would often join him for his walks. In addition to walking the trail, Chris loved to hike and mountain bike. He completed all 46 Adirondack High Peaks by 2015, proudly becoming an official Adirondack 46er. He continued hiking and during one of his most memorable climbing adventures in 2018, he hiked from 3:15am to 9:45pm to scale 8 of the Adirondack High Peaks in a single day: Saddleback, Basin, Gothic, Armstrong, Upper Wolfjaw, Lower Wolfjaw, Porter, and Cascade. Chris’s life passion was his faith, especially as it related to how the world was created. He became an avid Evolutionist while attending college and went on to promote Evolution for 10 years before beginning a long and intensive study on the subject. After re-examining the information he had been taught and, more importantly, seeking out research he had never been taught, he gradually became convinced that scientific evidence favored Creation over Evolution. This realization was the beginning of Chris’s lifelong journey with Christ. He became a highly respected content expert in Creation vs. Evolution and gave more than 700 public presentations and debates throughout the nation, including twice at Harvard University, presenting the evidence that had caused him to switch his beliefs. Chris was also a devoted grandfather. There was nothing too small for a roundtrip to Ithaca, be it a swim lesson, a tee ball practice, or a soccer game. He doted on his granddaughters, who he bonded with over time spent swimming in the backyard making whirlpools, playing hide-and-seek, and during early morning hours when he would make them chocolate-chip pancakes. In addition to Sandy, his wife of 40 years, Chris is survived by three sons: Christopher (Jennifer) Miller of Ithaca, New York, Jeremy (Lauren) Miller of Nashville, Tennessee, and Troy (Christie) Miller of Allegany, New York; and two granddaughters: Adelaide and Anneliese. Chris is also survived by five brothers: Thomas (Pat) Miller of Rock City, New York, Michael (Debbie) Miller of Kingsport, Tennessee, Mark (Judy) Miller of Mount Kisco, New York, Dr. John Miller of Allegany, New York, and Peter (Bonnie) Miller of Fairport, New York; and one sister: Mary (Craig) Valine, of Windsor, Colorado. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister-in-law Carole. The family will be present to receive friends on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 11am at Allegany Baptist Church on Maple Ave, Allegany. Pastor Dave Herne will officiate. Burial will be at the Allegany Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at oleanfuneralhome.com. Memorials if desired may be made to Creation Ministries International (creation.com/donate), Answers in Genesis (answersingenesis.org/donate), or a charity of the donor’s choice.