William S. Miller to Receive the 2013 Scarsdale Bowl

This announcement was forwarded to Scarsdale10583 from the Scarsdale Bowl Committee: William S. Miller, an extraordinary citizen with over 40 years of significant volunteer service, will be the 2013 recipient of the community's highest award, the Scarsdale Bowl. The Scarsdale Bowl is awarded annually to "one who has given unselfishly of time, energy, and effort to the civic welfare of the community," according to the Bowl founding documents. Miller, now 80, has served in a myriad of civic roles from trustee and president of the Board of Education in the mid 70's and early 80's to Planning Board member and chair this past decade. Jane Veron, chairman of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee, said, "Bill embodies the heart and soul of the Bowl award. He has consistently dedicated himself to the community with grace, intellect, compassion and respect. His commitment spans decades, leaving an indelible imprint on all facets of Scarsdale life. Bill has the gift of blending careful listening with enlightened insight. With an inclusive and gentle spirit, Bill embraces every responsibility and works tirelessly on behalf of all of us." Miller will be honored at the Scarsdale Bowl dinner on Wednesday evening, April 17, at the Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. Veron encourages all members of the community to attend: "It is an incredibly uplifting evening to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that permeates and propels our Village." Scarsdale residents may request an invitation by sending an email to scarsdalebowldp@gmail.com.

"The Scarsdale Bowl was initiated in 1943 to recognize an individual's outstanding contributions to the civic life of this community," said Veron. The Bowl Committee, a diverse group of 15 community volunteers, selects the recipient after reviewing many candidates who are nominated by the community. Some members were amazed that Miller had not already received the Scarsdale Bowl. The Committee was convinced that Bill's effective service coupled with his care for others is the hallmark of a recipient of the Scarsdale Bowl. Last Sunday evening, the Committee voted to honor Miller. Delegates from the Bowl Committee including Veron, Scarsdale Foundation president Richard Toder, Foundation liaison Evelyn Stock, Foundation secretary/treasurer Deborah Pekarek and Committee members Carolyn Stevens and Linda Chayes arrived at Miller's home on Popham Road to announce his selection. Miller was completely surprised. Miller appeared "stunned, overwhelmed, humble and very appreciative," Veron said.

Miller's long term devotion to public service distinguishes him. From 1975-1981, he was active as a member of the Scarsdale Board of Education; in 1980-81 he served as president. His membership on the Board of Trustees at Westchester Reform Temple began in 1971. He became Vice President in 1985 and President in 1989. He was a member of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee and Chair in 1997. His term as a Trustee of the Scarsdale Foundation began in 2000 and culminated in becoming President of the Foundation in 2010. The Scarsdale Planning Board work began in 2003. Eventually, he became Chairman for two years, between 2006 and 2008. He was also appointed to the Village committee to study traffic solutions at the Five Corners. Along the way, he was a Director of United Way of Scarsdale/Edgemont. He also participated on the Town Club's Education Committee and the Legislative Study Group on School Financing. Many of Miller's long term interests began at Harvard where he graduated with a B.A. magna cum laude and continued at Harvard Business School where he received his MBA with Distinction.

Today, Miller continues his deep involvement in Scarsdale. He serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Scarsdale/Edgemont Family Counseling Service and is a member of the newly-formed Scarsdale Community Support Council. He is co-president of the Heathcote-Overhill Corporation, which manages and operates the coop apartments at 50 Popham Road, and serves as a Director of The Mathers Charitable Foundation, which funds basic research in the life sciences.

Miller is known in Scarsdale as the "go-to-guy" who can bring extraordinary intelligence to bear on complex problems. Bowl Committee members noted his ability to look at the big picture and focus on what is most important. An incredibly hard worker, he builds consensus with a calm and easy style. Committee members agreed: Miller is generous with his heart, spirit and time; and Scarsdale has been the major beneficiary.

Miller takes great joy in his family, including his wife Stephanie and his children from his marriage to Ann Miller, who passed away in 1998, as well as his two stepchildren. All six children grew up together and attended Scarsdale schools from kindergarten through high school, and all grew into wonderful professionals. Mark, an architect, and Steven, a professor of Political Science, live in California, while Rachel is a pulmonologist at NY Presbyterian Hospital, and Liz Guggenheimer is a lawyer in Manhattan and currently serves as President of the Scarsdale Board of Education. Bill's two stepdaughters are Debbie Singer, a pediatrician in Denver, and Marcy Singer-Gabella, a professor at Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.