David Bariş Miller
Long time Santa Barbara resident, David Bariş Miller, 46, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Monday March 20th, 2017. Born to Nicole (Nihal) Anter and David Carr Miller in Ankara, Turkey on May 5th 1970; David spent his formative years in Austin, Texas and he then moved to Santa Barbara, CA in the early 1990’s. David’s memory is carried on by his wife Hana Fujii Miller, daughter Kaya (7), son Ronan (2), mother Nicole Anter, brothers Chris Anter and Julian ‘Alex’ Bartlett, sister in-law Jennifer Anter, nephew Jackson Anter, his uncle Esat Anter, aunt Serap Anter Ozer, beloved grandmother Jane K. Miller, several loving cousins as well as many close friends and colleagues.
For Hana, Kaya and Ronan, the void left with his passing is only softened by the intense love he gave them during his life. Married in the Sunken Garden of the Santa Barbara Courthouse on November 11, 2000, David and Hana’s union (affectionately referred to by many as, Dav-ana) was distinct for both its strength and the profound care they showed to one another. David captured Hana’s heart during college at UCSB and they knew, very early on, that each other was “the one.” He was Hana’s safety net and protector when times got rough, always there to assure her that everything would be OK. She misses his loving, gentle kisses and the constant reminders of love he showed her every minute of every day. The loving father, David was ever present in his children’s lives reading countless bedtime stories or just being the “silly” parent, ready with a smile and encouraging words for both Kaya and Ronan.
As older brother to Chris and Alex, David’s influence was that of both mentor and friend. As role model in their youth, David was a consistent, supportive presence always there to provide guidance. Genuinely interested in their lives, David paid close attention to them providing both with a patient ear and thoughtful advice as they grew up. As Chris remembers, “He really made me feel like he cared deeply about me. He is the reason I am the man I am today.” In their adulthood, he stayed close to both Chris and Alex where they remained loving brothers as well as close friends.
David’s relationship with his mother Nicole was marked by the love they had for one another as well as the long professional relationship they developed. As a boy, David was a voracious reader, full of curiosity. Family camping trips and trips to visit family in Turkey fed this love of life and interest in the world. He was the bright star of Nicole’s life from the day he was born. He became “the man of the house” at a very young age and his loving touch and emotional strength helped sustain Nicole through the difficult times as well brighten her happiest days.
After relocating from Texas to California, David would go on to work at the Alternative Copy Shop. His role in the printing industry would mature when Nicole founded Grafikart in 1994 where he served as Senior General Manager for close to 20 years. When Grafikart closed in 2013, he began work at Associated Students UCSB where he met many new colleagues and friends who were immediately struck by his vast knowledge, innovative ideas and quick wit.
To his friends, David was uniformly known for his intellect, comedic timing and warmth. Always the reader, he had a strong interest in sports, history and politics; though as many that knew him would come to find, there were few topics that he could not opine on credibly. David’s ever-upbeat attitude served him throughout his life in fostering close friendships while his quick wit, at times off-color sense of humor and love of conversation enriched many a get-together. Generous and compassionate, David never hesitated to step in and help anyone he encountered. Always quick with a smile, David brought sincerity, generosity and affection to all he called a friend.
He is profoundly missed by his family, friends and colleagues. Until we meet again.
A fund has been established for his beautiful young children and memorial donations may be made at https://www.youcaring.com/hanamiller-785280.