Auditor remembered

VEREENIGING. – A local memorial service for Derek John Miller, retired partner of the auditing firm Connaughton, Miller Smith Inc. and former
Vereeniging resident, was held at Kariba Ranch on Friday 27 September. Miller passed away in East London on Tuesday 17 September shortly before reaching his 85th birthday.
According to his daughter-in-law, Wendy Miller, the retired 84-year-old who had been living in the Eastern Cape since retiring in 2009, passed away in the Beacon Bay Life Hospital after suffering a stroke on 2 September.
He would have celebrated his 85th birthday on 9 October. Miller was born in Krugersdorp in 1934 and started work as an article clerk in the accounting profession in 1957. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1961. In 1964 Miller moved to Vereeniging where he joined Terrance Patrick Connaughton as a partner in what would become the well-respected auditing firm Connaughton, Miller Smith Inc. During his 45 years at the firm he was joined by his cousin Alwyn Voyle Smith, then his son Shaun and Alwyn’s son Stephen.
Miller remained partner of the firm until 30 April 2009, shortly after the death of founding member, Connaughton, who passed away in October 2008. Derek married Colleen Gobler Trollip in 1958 (who passed away five years ago) and together they had four children Anthony, Shaun, Beverley and Chantelle, who in turn blessed them with 8 lovely grandchildren. Apart from his family and work Miller was deeply involved within the local community. He was a committed member of Rotary, Round Table and 41’ers (which he continued to support to date).