Richard Miller; Businessman, Philanthropist

Richard Miller, a Los Angeles businessman who began supporting Cedars-Sinai Medical Center when it existed as Mt. Sinai Clinic in Boyle Heights in 1939 and was deeply involved in a support group that has raised more than $6 million for that hospital over the years, died Sunday at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 78 and died of complications from leukemia.

Born in New York, Miller came to Los Angeles as a boy and studied accounting. He founded his own accounting firm here, became a partner in an auction company and more recently was a managing partner of the Los Angeles Mart.

Among his first philanthropies was the Mt. Sinai Clinic, which later merged with Cedars of Lebanon Hospital to become Cedars-Sinai. He served on the center’s board until his death.

Miller also was on the Board of Directors of Caltech, was involved with support groups at UCLA and Big Brothers Inc., and headed United Jewish Appeal fund-raising efforts at the Hillcrest Country Club.

Survivors include his wife, Rose, a son, a daughter, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a brother.

Donations in his name are asked to the Medallions Group, the Cedars support group in which he had been active since its founding as the Mt. Sinai Men’s Club in 1943.