BZ Miller, 1950-2014

Devoted husband, loving father, brother, friend, and appreciated June Lake community supporter BZ Miller passed away from injuries sustained in a work-related accident on Friday, August 29.

BZ was born on June 6, 1950 in Long Beach, Calif.  In the 1940s, BZ’s grandfather built the family cabin on the shores of Gull Lake. BZ spent much of his childhood in June Lake enjoying family adventures and falling in love with the Eastern Sierra, namely the June Lake Loop. He attended California State University at Long Beach where he majored in Chemistry. Being a math and science wiz, numbers and engineering came easily to BZ. He then followed his dream and moved to June Lake in the winter of 1970, where he found work on June Mountain. He had many adventures with his “band of brothers” and close friends, Chuck MacLaren, Keith Potter, Doug Smith and Steve “Scurvy” Craig, where the Mountain was their life.  They were involved in building Chairs 2 & 4, as well as various other projects.  BZ occupied several positions eventually working his way up to Director of Ski Patrol.

BZ began building his beautiful home on the rocks overlooking June Lake village in 1975. He met the love of his life, Barbara Bauer, and they married on the deck of their home June 3, 1979, with virtually all of June Lake in attendance. BZ and Barbara welcomed two wonderful sons into their lives, Michael and Matthew, in 1983 and 1987 respectively. BZ and his family enjoyed their involvement in skiing, camping, youth sports, and Lee Vining and Mammoth schools. BZ enjoyed being a father to his boys and was proud to see them become the amazing men they are today.

In the mid 1970s, BZ and Chuck MacLaren started a construction company that did mostly foundation work that no one else wanted. They did many jobs for Marzano & Sons in those days and spent some sweaty days in the Clark Tract drilling holes in granite and schlepping concrete. Chuck left to follow other opportunities around 1978 and BZ took the business and ran with it.  He started with doing remodels, new construction, and focused on log homes. He was involved in renovation and new construction at the Alpers Ranch. Tim Alpers has always said, “BZ’s log cabins, both new and restored, were the most beautiful cabins in the Eastern Sierra. His work on the Alpers Ranch will last for centuries.” He started and operated Mammoth Crane. Among his projects, BZ remodeled the cabins and built the Lodging Office and Luxury Suites at the Double Eagle Resort and Spa in June Lake.

BZ joined the June Lake Volunteer Fire Department and later became a Commissioner on the June Lake Fire Protection Board, serving in that capacity for more than 30 yrs. BZ was also involved on other boards and committees, including but not limited to, June Lake Public Utilities District Board for more than 30 years and the June Lake Citizen Advisory Committee-CAC for approximately seven. He also was a committed supporter of For His Children orphanage in Quito, Ecuador, established by former Mammoth residents Clark and Melinda Vaughn.

In 1976, he took the lead in rescuing a couple that had fallen through the ice on June Lake. He received the California Attorney General’s Award for Heroism for his efforts.

An avid skier, fisherman, hunter, and organic gardener, he loved the Eastern Sierra and his family. He is survived by his wife Barbara Miller of June Lake, sons Michael Miller and Matthew Miller;  sister, Monica Miller of Fullerton; niece, Kaelyn Cambronero; mother-in-law, Kathy Bauer of Escondido; brother-in-law, Lance Bauer and wife Darcy, and nephews Alec and Jordan of Mammoth Lakes; sister-in-law Susan Ritchie and husband Peter, and nieces Katie and Tessa, of Escondido.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Dorothy Miller, and recently his sister, Cori Cambronero; aunt and uncle Wanda and Don Gerken. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held at June Mountain Chalet on Saturday, September 6 at 1 p.m. Potluck to follow.