Rob Tobias is the host of the Train of Thought podcast. In this program, Rob interviews Neal Miller, a filmmaker, activist and world champion Masters Basketball player and coach. Sadly, Neal passed away in June (2018) and this interview serves as a document of his voice and a wonderful life lived. May his memory be a blessing to us all.
Neal "Mookie" Miller died June 8, 2018, at home in Eugene, Oregon, from cancer. He was born September 3, 1934, and grew up in Chicago. His high school basketball team, the Roosevelt Rough Riders, won the 1952 Chicago City Championship; this led to a life long dedication to playing, then coaching senior basketball around the world. In 1957, he graduated from the University of Illinois. He earned a Masters degree from Illinois Technical Institute. After working in the cooperate world, Neal renovated Chicago vintage buildings. This talented man then found his true passion, film making, creating 6 films for PBS, several features, and other shorts. Neal was an strong advocate of environmental efforts and loved nature. He was a loyal friend, full of interesting stories and a helping hand. He had big visions and tirelessly championed them. Neal is survived by his wife, Nancy, his sister and her husband, Enid and Herb Brodsky, 3 daughters, Christie, Heather and Lindsey, and 4 grandchildren.
Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on June 24, 2018
TRAIN OF THOUGHT airs on KEPW and KOCF and is available to be picked up by other stations.
