Oklahoma rugby community remembers Bjorn ‘Bear’ Miller after deadly fall from California cliff
By Kilee Thomas
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STILLWATER, Oklahoma (KOCO) — Bjorn “Bear” Miller, a beloved member of Oklahoma’s rugby community, is being remembered after his tragic death from a fall along the California coast.
“He always put other people’s needs above his own,” said Kelton Miller, Bjorn’s brother.
Heartbreak has spread across Oklahoma’s rugby community after Bjorn, described as a pillar of the sport, died in a fall from a California cliff along the Pacific Coast.
Bjorn’s brother said the accident occurred shortly after Bjorn had taken a travel nursing job in California.
“It’s just a freak accident. We believe, based on speaking with the sheriffs and based on what I’ve seen of pictures and the area, that he had just out and walked around and fallen off,” Kelton said.
Friends said Bjorn’s contributions to rugby extended far beyond playing, as he helped build the sport across Oklahoma.
“He was kind of one of those guys who helped rugby from youth programs all the way up to adult. Whether he was coaching, playing—he was the guy who would be the medic, the referee,” said Brendan Berry, a friend of Bjorn.
“His impact in the rugby community is quite phenomenal,” Kelton added.
Bjorn was also a combat medic with the Oklahoma National Guard after training at Fort Sill.
“It’s kind of funny because Bjorn is Scandinavian for bear, and it’s almost like it manifested as he grew up because it just became who he was. He embodied it. But a lovable bear,” Kelton said.
To honor Bjorn and his love for rugby, the community will host the Bear Miller Memorial Rugby Alumni Match in Stillwater this Saturday.
“Anybody and everybody is invited. That is 100% the way Bear would like it. If you’ve never played rugby before or you have played, you are more than welcome to come out. It’s one of those events where we just want people to come together,” Berry said.
A GoFundMe has been set up in Bjorn’s honor.
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