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Gene Kennedy ReportingThe man known for "wild places and wild things" has died. Outdoor Television Pioneer Doug Miller lost his life Sunday night at the age of 59. This morning, many are remembering who he was as a person and what he did for TV in this market.
Doug accomplished something in television that was truly unique, he was the bringing the outdoors to our living rooms at a time when cable wasn't around. It was really something new to the Salt Lake City television market.
We knew Doug Miller as Mr. Outdoors and he did it all -- hunting, fishing, riding ATVs. Friends say he always made it interesting, even for those who were not as interested in the outdoors or just enjoyed it occasionally.
His former KSL news director says the Doug you saw on TV was the same man away from the camera.
Spence Kinard, Former KSL News Director: "Doug was what he was. He enjoyed what he was doing."
He was even planning a fishing trip right before he was hospitalized. Doug checked into the hospital 21 days ago for a septic shock. He was taken off life support Sunday evening. Doug died at the age of 59.
While Doug is best known for his reporting on anything outdoors on his television show "Outdoors with Doug Miller," he actually began at as a journalist for KSL News Radio. Colleagues praised him as a tough reporter who went after important stories aggressively and fairly. He made the switch to TV in 1989.
Word was, he was unsure if he could be successful in television, but so many viewers loved watching him. We will all miss him and our thoughts are with his wife Marilyn, son Mike and daughter Karen.
