Remembering a kindred spirit: Henry K. (a.k.a. “Sonny”) Miller, MD
Dr. Mellon recognized a kindred spirit in Dr. Miller when Dr. Miller arranged to bring over a young man from Japan to study in the USA. The young man had been his shoe shine boy while Dr. Miller was stationed in Japan with the US occupation forces. The student went on to become a leading Japanese educator.
That is how it happened that Dr. Mellon invited Sonny to be on the original Grant Foundation Board when it consisted of only four people: Dr. Mellon, Mrs. Mellon, Addison Vestal (accountant and financial wizard from Pittsburgh) and Sonny Miller.
Dr. Miller never missed a board meeting in over 4 decades on the Board. Besides his empathy, kindness and sharp thinking, he always brought Southern grits for breakfast and a large roast for the board dinner. But he also emptied his suitcase to share with the community, literally taking the shirts off his back, and leaving them with local young men. Going home, his suitcases were crammed with local art and handicrafts because Sonny could not say “no” and loved to help the local economy.
