Dr. Lee Hoyt Miller, M.D., 87, of Cortez, Florida, passed on Feb. 26, 2024.
Hoyt was the son of G.L. Hoyt Miller and Laverne M. Miller. He was born Nov. 16, 1936, at Danville, Illinois. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Indianapolis, where, at Howe High School, he met the love of his life, Katheryn A. Wilkens (daughter of Dr. Irvin W. Wilkens, M.D. and Delta M. (Newton) Wilkens). They were married June 20, 1959.
Hoyt graduated from Wabash College in 1959 where he sang first tenor with the Wabash College Glee Club under the direction of his mentor and close friend, Bob Mitchum. At Wabash, he was a proud member of his social fraternity, Sigma Chi. He has remained close with his Sigma Chi brothers and his fellow Class of ‘59 classmates over the years.
In 1963, he graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and, after completing a residency in family medicine at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, he joined Drs. Dan McLaren and Hal Williams in their medical practice, Devington Family Physicians. He later formed Castleton Family Physicians with his medical partners. He was a staff officer at Community Hospitals of Indianapolis where he also served as Clinical Director of the Family Practice Residency Program.
He was a member of the Indianapolis Medical Society, Indiana State Medical Association, Indiana Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association and was a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Hoyt was a veteran of the Indiana National Guard, 38th Medical Battalion, and served as a medical officer during the Vietnam War.
He was a member of Millersville Masonic Lodge #126, Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite and Murat Shriners. For several years, Hoyt was chairman of the medical clinic at Murat Shriners which identified children who could benefit from medical treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospitals.
Hoyt and Kathy purchased a condominium at Cortez, Florida upon their retirement in 2001. They began wintering in Florida. They eventually became full-time residents of Florida. Hoyt obtained his medical license in Florida and staffed the medical clinic for students enrolled at IMG Sports Academy at Bradenton, Florida.
Hoyt’s avocation was music. He and Bob Mitchum formed the “Sound Foundation” at Carmel, Indiana. Their performances raised money to fund an annual college scholarship for teens who had been active in musical performance in high school. In Florida, he formed and led the jazz band “The Sea Notes.” The Sea Notes performed for several years in the Bradenton, Florida area.
Hoyt was a member of Harvey Memorial Community Church at Bradenton Beach, Florida, where he sang in the choir and served as deacon, trustee and chairman of the board. He was also a member of Key Royale Golf Club on Anna Maria Island, Florida.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, and their three children, Gregory Hoyt Miller (Laura) of Crawfordsville, Julie Ann Phelps (John) of Cortez, Florida, and Dr. Kristen Lynn Ward, M.D. (Curt) of Empire, Michigan; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Memorial services in Florida will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospitals c/o Murat Shriners, 510 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46204, or to Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, FL 34217.
