WINSLOW — Herb Miller, 94, died in his sleep on Wednesday, Aug. 10, following a short illness.

He was born on May 7, 1917, in New Auburn, to Max and Annie Miller. He was one of four children and the only boy.

Herb graduated from Bates College in 1938, having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. He was an avid reader throughout his life. After college graduation, he went to England and married Ethel Frances Miller and they spent a summer in France.

On their return to Auburn, Herb joined his father in the scrap metal and waste trade. Upon his father’s death in 1942, he and an uncle, Isadore Miller took over the business. After several years, Herb split with his uncle and began setting up spinning mills that make yarn from a blend of new and waste fibers. He was a master at improvising new blends and adapting old equipment to new technology and tends.

He owned many spinning and weaving mills throughout the state including such places as; North Brewick, Camden, Dover Foxcroft, two in Lewiston, Lisbon Falls, Lisbon Center, Buxton, Augusta (Bates); producing and selling more than 100,000 pounds of yarn and more then 100,000 pounds of cloth per week.

In the late 70s to early 80s, he built Miller Hydro on the Androscoggin. He considered this his greatest achievement, but his heart always belonged to textiles.

In 1989, he met Jo Pollock, who became his second wife. They were soul mates from the beginning, sharing work ethics, a great zest for life and many, many laughs. She was the love of his life and he was hers. They continued in perfect harmony throughout their retirement years, settling in San Francisco, Calif., and becoming residents there. He was the ultimate Renaissance Man, cultured, knowledgeable about many things. Always ready, willing and able to learn more.

They visited Maine in the summer and were preparing to go back to San Francisco when Herb became weakened and the decision was made to recoup here.

He is survived by his wife Jo; his stepchildren, Phoebe, Sarah and John; his grandchildren, Lily Schilla, David and Leah Saben; and many nieces and nephews, including Sandy Miller, Rachel Blank, Martha, Mark Isaacson and Mark’s brothers and sister; as well as many cousins.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Deborah Bornstein.