Daniel Robert Miles

SEABECK, Wash. — Daniel Robert Miles, 90, of Seabeck died after a brief illness, March 22, 2005. His beloved wife of 68 years, Bess, his sister, Alice, and grandson Calvin Hoftyzer preceded him in death.

Dan was born in Butte Dec. 13, 1914, to Frances and Robert Miles. His father worked on the bus rail line and his mother was a domestic. When Dan was 11 years old, he started to train as a boxer at the local YMCA. He and his father moved to Newcastle, Wash., when his parents divorced. He began to box professionally when he was 16.

He was a Life Scout in the BSA and quarterback of his high school football team. Dan met his future wife, Bess Carr, on the track field at Renton High School, while both were students there. She borrowed his track shoes for a meet. They both graduated from Renton High School.

Dan continued his education at the University of Washington. He and Bess were married Jan. 14, 1935, in Kent, Wash. Dan is survived by his children, Linda Hoftyzer of Santa Rosa, Calif., Daniel D. Miles of Puyallup, Wash., Frances Moyer of Seabeck and by seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Dan's first job was at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer building, the parking lot at the original building. The P-I then hired him in the circulation department. He was still boxing after work when he met the P-I's sports editor, Royal Brougham, who told him he would never make a good boxer and ought to give it up. Dan took his advice.

He was assistant road manager, road manager, then assistant circulation director of the P-I. Dan continued his career with the Hearst organization as circulation director at the Baltimore American, then the Milwaukee Journal, and Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. He was the first recipient of the organization's Circulator of the Year Award in 1956.

The family wished to return to the West Coast, so Dan started a second career at UCLA. He retired from UCLA as the superintendent of the maintenance and engineering department.

Dan remained very busy after his retirement. The couple moved to Polson, where both became active in the Eastern Star. They advanced through the chairs and became Grand Worthy Patron and Matron. Dan had been a Mason for many years.

In 1982 Dan built a portable still that could be transported to farms to distill the cull vegetables that the farmers would otherwise have to bury. Montana Governor Ted Schwinden rode the first tractor that ran entirely on the alcohol that was produced. Dan lived long enough to see his vision of running engines without gasoline start to become a reality.

Dan had been a Scoutmaster when the family lived in Beacon Hill and he maintained a lifelong interest in scouting. He started a Boy Scout Troop in Polson. He noted, also, that too many young people in the area were drowning from not knowing how to swim. He started a YMCA and organized swimming lessons in a portable swimming pool that was taken around to the neighboring communities until the money was raised for a YMCA building.

He received many awards, among them, the President's Award on Physical Fitness from President George H.W. Bush. Arnold Swartzenegger, who was Chair of the President's physical fitness council, presented the award to Dan.

The couple moved to Orting, Wash., in 1994. Dan began to work on opening up the schools for teen dances and other after-school activities. He organized OYAC, Orting Youth Activity Council. He ensured that the kids of the community were represented on the board of directors. He encouraged the Elks club to open its doors to young people and to be chaperones during the activities.

He received the Patty Murray Golden Tennis Shoe Award, among others, for his work in the community for young people. He was twice highlighted on KOMO News on their "Angels in our Community" series. He was the recipient of the Hixon Award, one of the highest distinctions for a member of Kiwanis.

Dan and Bess were tireless advocates for young people wherever they lived and were a positive influence on many young people along the way. There will be a celebration of their lives at a time and place to be determined.