David J. Miller, 83, passed away on June 20, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, New York, surrounded by his wife and son. Born on December 13, 1942, in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, David lived a life shaped by creativity, curiosity, faith, and devotion to the people he cherished. He made his home in Saratoga Springs and Halfmoon for most of his adult life and, in his final years, resided at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga Springs. He died from pneumonia in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

David was a gifted Abstract Expressionist artist whose paintings and drawings were known for their emotional depth and dynamic energy. His work was described by writer and critic John Yao as embodying “a world… simultaneously falling apart and coming together,” capturing the turbulence and paradoxes of human experience with remarkable sensitivity. His art appears in numerous public collections, including the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Cleveland Institute of Art, the Albany Institute of History and Art, the State University of New York at Albany, and the Tang Museum, as well as in private collections across the United States and abroad. He received major recognitions throughout his career, including fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, and he held the Tuthill Endowed Chair at Skidmore College.

Teaching was one of David’s greatest callings. He served as a professor of drawing and painting at Skidmore College from 1975 until his retirement in 2010, later becoming Professor Emeritus. He also directed the Schick Art Gallery, shaping its vision and supporting generations of emerging artists. Earlier in his career, he taught at Lake Erie College in Ohio and at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh. His influence as a mentor was profound; musician Chris Frantz of Talking Heads once wrote, “It’s no exaggeration to say that this man changed my life.”

David’s academic path reflected his deep commitment to the arts. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and his Master of Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition to his artistic and academic pursuits, he served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves as a First Lieutenant and General’s Aide to Major General James Milnor Roberts in the late 1960s.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, David was a man of warmth, humility, and steadfast love. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest joy came from his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 58 years, Sandy (Stein) Miller, an artist and retired teacher; his son Darren T. Miller and daughter‑in‑law Christine J. Miller; and his treasured grandchildren, Tate E. Miller and Georgia G. Miller. He is also survived by his brother James Miller and sister‑in‑law Elaine Miller. David was predeceased by his parents, Charles Miller and Imelda (Bell) Miller, and his siblings Charles Miller Jr., Michael Miller, and Betty Lou Lenz.

David’s Christian faith was a quiet but constant presence throughout his life. He worshipped regularly and volunteered at St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church in Saratoga Springs, serving as an usher and contributing to the building committee for several years.

Those who knew David will remember his sincere kindness, good-natured sense of humor, his boundless creativity, and his unwavering dedication to his students, colleagues, and family. His legacy lives on in his artwork, in the countless lives he touched, and in the love he shared so generously.

Relatives and friends may call from 4-6pm on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 10am at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Burial will be private.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.