Peter Allan Millar

Feb 22, 1942 -

Oct 2, 2024

Peter Allan Millar, age 82 passed away on Oct. 2, 2024, at his residence in Anchorage, Alaska.

Peter Allan Millar was born in Neenah, Wis. on Feb. 22, 1942, to J.B and Mary Millar and was the middle child of six siblings (all devout cheeseheads). Pete graduated from Neenah High School and graduated from Michigan Tech University in 1964 with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He began his career in Detroit, Michigan at the Chevrolet plant and soon realized he would rather tour the west coast and be a ski bum for a few months. He soon ran out of ski money and found work as a metallurgical engineer with Boeing in 1964 in Seattle, Wash. where he found and married his wife of 55 years, Caroline Mead Millar. They were married in Seattle in 1969 and soon had their first child, Anne and welcomed a second child, Donald in 1971. However, at that time Pete was laid off from Boeing, which brought an opportunity to move to Anchorage, Alaska on October 15, 1971, to fulfill a teaching position with Anchorage Community College, which eventually became the University of Alaska, Anchorage. His position with ACC was in welding and nondestructive testing as an instructor where he worked with many men and women who helped shape the industry today. Pete and Caroline made their home in East Anchorage where they have resided for the past 53 years.

In 1973, Peter and Caroline created Alaska Industrial X-ray, Inc. which provided nondestructive and welding inspection services to the ever-expanding oilfield service companies of the time. The demand in the oilfield side expanded over to the aviation community as well, and the business eventually created AIX LLC. Both businesses, AIX LLC and Alaska Industrial X-ray are still operating today after 50 years of serving the State of Alaska in aviation and oilfield services.

Pete and Caroline managed the new businesses as well as the addition of the third child, Richard, in 1973, and the baby of the family, Catherine, in 1975.

Peter's passions in life were his family, business, sports, and of course the Green Bay Packers. He supported youth sports in hockey and soccer, with coaching his kids with the Boys and Girls Club being one of his favorite memories. He enjoyed each of his kids' sports endeavors and brought up his children in the great State of Alaska, enjoying all that it had to offer. He and Caroline traveled extensively in their later years and enjoyed their time at their cabin and of course a yearly trip or two over to the Hawaiian Islands.

Pete didn't officially retire until his 70s as he enjoyed working with many of the employees of the AIX family. Peter served as one of the founding members of the Alaska chapter of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing as well as being a lifetime member of the American Welding Society. He was proud of the work in these fields and especially enjoyed working with numerous employees and clients that he held a great regard.

Pete is predeceased by his parents, James Burton and Mary; and brothers, John and Alexander. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Caroline Millar; siblings, William (Mary Ann); Susan; and Mary Elizabeth (Philip); children, Anne Guest (Christopher); Donald Millar (Brandi); Richard Millar (Allison); Catherine Millar (Daisy); granddaughters, Maddy (Edgar) Gallo, Melanie, Laney (Owen) Wilson, Molly, Brenna, and Isabella; great-granddaughter, Adeline; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended friends and family.

A funeral for Peter Millar will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., at Saint Patrick's Parish 2111 Muldoon Road, Anchorage, AK 99504. A reception will follow after the service in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you enjoy what makes you happy, such as a peanut buster parfait, as Pete surely would have!