Sisters marks passing of Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller, a long-time Sisters builder and leader of the Sisters Rodeo, died last week after a long period of ill health.

The Sisters Rodeo Association made the announcement, reflecting on the giant boot prints Miller made in the Sisters arena.

“Holding the position as our rodeo president for 21 years he invested so much of his life into our organization,” the association statement noted. “There may be a few other people who have dedicated as much of their lives to Sisters Rodeo as Glenn Miller in the rodeo’s 83-year history, but there is no one else who has led the rodeo with more vision and inspiration than him.”

Miller first served as Sisters Rodeo Association President in 1988. During that term of service he convinced the board of directors to join the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). He was elected again in 1999, and served through 2019, when he stepped away from the post due to medical issues.

In 2012, the Rodeo selected him to be Grand Marshal. That year, Bonnie Malone profiled Miller for a story in The Nugget. Malone depicted Miller’s upbringing in the Amish and Mennonite community of Goshen, Indiana, where his strong ethical foundation was built. And she noted that Miller built a stellar reputation as a contractor across the region.

“Miller has also been a premier contractor in Central Oregon since 1974,” Malone reported. “With his partner, Miller began building homes at Black Butte Ranch from their Portland-based company until they both moved here with their families. ‘Suddenly all our work was here,’ he explained, ‘and we loved the area.’ He became independent in 1978 as GJ Miller Construction Company.

“He built the first million-dollar home on the tax rolls in Deschutes County, still a showcase over a canyon. He has built landmarks all over Sisters Country and more than 20 Black Butte Ranch homes. In Bend, there are multiple Awbrey Butte and Broken Top homes and

Hawthorne Suites to his credit.

Rodeo was always at the center of Miller’s community efforts.”

“Miller has contributed more to this association than anyone in this community,” said then-Vice President Curt Kallberg in 2012. “It’s not only because of his leadership; it’s his life.”

The Rodeo that Miller so loved will go forward this year after a two-year hiatus, June 8-12. For information, visit https://sistersrodeo.com.