Robert Rutherford Milner Jr.'s Obituary
Robert Rutherford Milner, Jr. passed away on July 13th, 2024, following a very full and eventful life. After service in Vietnam, Robert, a serious devotee of dogs and dog training since he was a teen, founded Wildrose Kennels in 1972, an internationally famous gundog breeding and training operation in Grand Junction TN.
Robert changed careers in the mid-1990s, moving back to Memphis to join the industrial real estate firm, Wilkinson & Snowden, Inc, now known as Colliers International Memphis, where he served as a vice president and partner for more than a decade.
Having remained in the Air Force Reserves, Robert was called up to serve in Desert Storm as the head of the Memphis Depot, a major supplier to U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf. With that logistical experience, he went on to serve on the Board and as the President of the local Council of Logistics Management. He was a major driving force in the local logistics community and originated the Super Terminal concept, an innovative effort to connect all major railroads and trucking companies at Presidents Island in Memphis. He was also a founding member of the Memphis Uniport Association, a branch of the Memphis Chamber that promoted Memphis as "America's Distribution Center."
Robert retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force in 2001; however, determined to serve after 9/11, he was reactivated by Tennessee Task Force One. Colonel Milner reformed the Task Force’s search and rescue dog program, was deployed on various missions, and served as a program manager and task force leader.
In 2005, Robert returned to his first love, canine breeding and training. He founded Duckhill Kennels in Somerville TN and managed the operation for two decades. As was the case with Wildrose Kennels, Robert imported British Labrador Retrievers and continued his pioneering methods of dog training. Throughout his life, he traveled to Britain many times to import British Labradors. Befriending the Queen’s dog trainer and estate keeper, Bill Meldrum, he had the opportunity to meet and join the Queen for cocktails at Sandringham.
Colonel Milner published various dog training books and contributed articles regularly to outdoor magazines. Whether it was innovation in the canine, military or the business world, he remained a very active contributor to the community.
Robert was known for his generosity and unflinching loyalty to his family. He leaves behind his wife, Susan Milner, his son and daughter-in-law, Robert R. Milner, III and Marion, his daughter and son-in-law, Leelee Riddle and John, stepson, Andrew Akers and stepdaughter, Lee Anne Holman and Craig. Robert also leaves six step-grandchildren.
Should you desire to make a donation, please consider your favorite conservation or military organization. A celebration of Robert’s life will take place in Memphis at Memorial Park, on the 13th of December 2025 at 2pm. Visitation starts at 1pm.
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