July 9, 1935-May 5, 2024
Dr. Daniel Warren Miles, 88, passed away on May 5, 2024, in Riverton, Utah, with his family by his side.
Daniel was born on July 9, 1935, to Mary Lyon and M.J. Miles in St. George, Utah. He graduated from Dixie High School in 1953, where he excelled in both basketball and academics. He went on to study at Dixie College where he continued to play basketball. During that time, Daniel broke many tournament records, averaging 30 points a game.
In 1955, Daniel graduated from Dixie and was the valedictorian. He served a Spanish-speaking mission in Texas. He later went to the University of Utah and got his bachelor’s degree in 1960. He taught at Dixie College for three years, while continuing his education at Louisiana State through a National Foundation Grant during the summer months. Daniel then transferred to the University of Utah and got his Ph.D. in physical chemistry. He did a postdoctoral fellowship with the American Medical Association in Chicago for a year and was invited to stay on. But Daniel decided to come back to Utah and spent the next 18 years as a physics and chemistry professor at Westminster College, while doing research with Dr. Henry Eyring at the University of Utah. Eventually, he returned to his roots in Southern Utah, teaching at Dixie College until he retired as a professor emeritus.
Daniel has been married to Lenore (Workman) since 1961. He is survived by his wife and seven children: Bryant (Kim), Randall, Scott (Yeun Suk), Mark, Michelle, MaryAnn (Paul) Pope and Aileen (Chris) Schwartz, 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Doug and Robert and a sister Mary. He is also survived by his remaining seven siblings: Howard, Melvin, Helen, Carol, John, Bill and Clark.
For years, Daniel stayed physically and mentally active. He loved to hike, especially on off-beaten trails in Southern Utah, usually he went alone or with the family dogs. He participated in the Senior Games at Dixie College for a few years. He went fishing every summer, and loved working in his garden. Daniel was a lifelong Chicago Cubs and BYU fan. He continued to play baseball, basketball, football and volleyball with his children and grandchildren well into his 80s.
He kept his mind sharp by playing intense three-hour deduction games, the more complicated the better. He also stayed active in the science and academic community by writing books and letters to the editor.