Keith Harvey Miller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keith Miller
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| 3rd Governor of Alaska | |
| In office January 29, 1969 – December 7, 1970 |
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| Lieutenant | Robert Ward |
| Preceded by | Wally Hickel |
| Succeeded by | William Egan |
| Secretary of State of Alaska | |
| In office December 5, 1966 – January 29, 1969 |
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| Governor | Wally Hickel |
| Preceded by | Hugh Wade |
| Succeeded by | Robert Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Keith Harvey Miller
March 1, 1925 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 2019 (aged 94) Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University of Idaho, Moscow University of Washington, Seattle (BS) |
Keith Harvey Miller (born March 1, 1925 – died March 2, 2019) was an American politician who belonged to the Republican Party. He was from Alaska. Miller served as the second Secretary of State of Alaska. This job is now called the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska. He worked under Governor Walter Hickel. Miller later became the third Governor of Alaska. This happened after Governor Hickel left to become a top official in the U.S. government. During Miller's time as governor, Alaska gained a lot of money. This was from selling rights to drill for oil in a place called the North Slope. This sale brought in $900 million.
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Growing Up in Washington
Keith Harvey Miller was born in Seattle, Washington on March 1, 1925. He was one of four sons. He spent his early years on a farm outside Seattle. In 1939, his family moved closer to Bothell, Washington.
Miller finished high school in Bothell. He then went to the University of Idaho for a short time. He joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He served for the last two years of the war.
Starting a Career in Alaska
After the military, Miller started a holly farm in Olympia, Washington in 1946. During this time, he often worked in the Territory of Alaska during the summers. He also studied at the University of Washington, Seattle. He earned a science degree in 1952.
In 1953, Miller sold his farm. That same year, he married Diana Mary Doyle in Seattle. He also started a business there. In 1957, he sold his business. He then began working for the Internal Revenue Service. This job moved him to Anchorage, Alaska.
Beginning His Political Journey
Miller started his political career in 1962. He was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives. He served one term there.
From 1966, he worked as the Secretary of State of Alaska. This role is now known as the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska. He held this position until January 29, 1969. On that day, Governor Hickel resigned. Hickel became the United States Secretary of the Interior for President Richard M. Nixon. Miller then became the Governor of Alaska.
Leading Alaska as Governor
As Governor, Keith Miller oversaw a major event for Alaska. The state completed the sale of land leases in Prudhoe Bay. This brought in a huge amount of money, $900 million. This money was seven times the state's yearly budget. Years later, Governor Jay Hammond used these oil funds to create the Alaska Permanent Fund.
Miller strongly supported building the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. He urged the Congress to approve it. He also pushed for money to build a road to the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field.
In 1970, Miller ran for re-election. His popularity dropped because his former partner, Walter Hickel, delayed the pipeline permit. Miller won his party's primary election. But he lost the main election to William A. Egan, Alaska's first governor. Congress finally approved the pipeline after the 1973 oil crisis.
Later Public Service
In 1972, Miller was elected to the Alaska Senate. He was supposed to serve for four years. However, his term was cut short. This was due to changes in how Senate districts were drawn.
Instead of running in a new district, Miller tried for governor one more time in 1974. He lost the Republican primary election. In 1977, Governor Hammond appointed Miller to lead the Alaska Transportation Commission.
Final Years
Keith Miller passed away on March 2, 2019. He was 94 years old. He died from pancreatic cancer in Anchorage. His wife, Jean Cuffel Miller, had passed away before him.
