Allen Zehner Miller

Allen Zehner Miller (AZ), born June 29, 1940, in Somerville, New Jersey, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Known as “AZ” to his classmates, he was the only child of James Lucien and Elizabeth Zehner Miller; his mother passed away shortly after his birth.

He grew up in Waukegan, Illinois, and graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1958, where he excelled academically and athletically. He lettered in swimming, served as Vice-President of the National Honor Society, and participated in the Waukegan–North Chicago Youth Council. His leadership in the Junior ROTC program, where he attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant, inspired his decision to pursue a military career.

Appointed to West Point by Representative Marguerite Stitt Church, Allen entered the Academy in 1958 as a member of the Class of 1962. While attending SCUSA XII, a Model UN Conference in North Carolina, he met his future wife, Judith Wilson Sydnor, on a blind date. They were married on June 16, 1962, and shared more than 40 years together until Judy’s passing in 2003. The couple raised two children, Deborah Lynn and James Russell.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery, Allen completed the Artillery Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, before reporting for duty with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. His early assignments included Forward Observer, Battalion Communications Officer, and Executive Officer of a 155mm howitzer unit.

Allen’s military service included Greece with the 70th Missile Detachment and Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division, where he commanded Battery C, 3/34th Artillery, and contributed to the Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. After Vietnam, he earned a Master’s Degree in Operations Research from Stanford University, served at West Point in the Mathematics Department, and retired as a Major in 1972 due to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma caused by Agent Orange exposure. His awards included two Army Commendation Medals, two Bronze Stars (one for heroism), the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Allen had a distinguished civilian career with EDS and the Information Technology Association of America, serving in executive and global leadership roles, including Executive Director of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance. He was appointed to the Internet Governance Working Group at the United Nations by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

On December 31, 2004, Allen married Patricia Ellis Winterhalter. They shared 21 years of marriage and a blended family that included stepchildren Ronald Allen, David Michael, Miles Arthur, and Alison Elizabeth.

In retirement, he pursued woodworking and divided his time between Virginia and South Carolina, enjoying travel, reading, and time with family and friends. Allen’s life was marked by service, dedication, and love—for his country, his work, and his family. He will be remembered for his generosity, his passions, and the joy he brought to all who knew him.

Allen is survived by his wife, Patricia, of McLean, VA; his children, Debbie (Frank) of McLean, VA, Jim (Amber) of Richmond, VA, Ron of McLean, VA, David (Elaine) of New Kent, VA, Miles of Annandale, VA, and Alison (Justin) of Arlington, VA; and five grandchildren, Maddy Walsh (Robbie), Emily Dye, Sadie Miller, Callie Conrad, and Piper Conrad. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Judith Sydnor.

A public service will be held on January 21 at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101 at 12pm. A visitation will be held just before the service at 11am. Allen will be laid to rest at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, 12609 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23238, on January 22 at 12pm.