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Pharmacist, magician, comedian, historian, coin collector, stamp collector … all are titles that have been held by Bonner Springs resident Roger Miller.

“My mother always said I had a hobby of having hobbies,” Miller said of his rich life.

That life is about to be put on a pedestal and shown in all of its facets as Miller prepares for the Bonner Springs Rotary Club’s “roast” of him on Saturday, Feb. 27.

“My first reaction was, ‘Well that’s nice,’” Miller said about the idea for the roast, which is an event in which an individual is subjected to a public presentation of comedic praises and insults. “I was honored and happy to be the roastee, but I keep telling them that I get the last word, so be careful.”

Miller said he had a good sense of humor and was sure his eclectic life would bring about many interesting stories.

“At first, I couldn’t think of any stories they would want to tell,” said Miller, who has been a member of the Bonner Springs Rotary Club since 1965. “But then they started giving me hints. We all have our foibles.”

Born in Wathena, Miller followed his family tradition becoming a fourth-generation pharmacist, graduating from Kansas University’s School of Pharmacy in 1955.

With his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Sheila, at his side, Miller moved to Bonner Springs in 1964 when he began looking for a pharmacy of his own to buy. In Bonner Springs, Miller found Rexall Drug Store, which is now Miller Pharmacy, at 207 Oak St.

“I think (Miller Pharmacy) has a more hometown feeling,” Miller said, who has been retired for 10 years but still has involvement in the business. “The people that work there are all involved in the community. You get to know a lot of people that way.”

Beyond the pharmacy, Miller is known around Bonner Springs as a magician. He has performed his act for many years in many different arenas, from birthday parties to corporate training events and conventions.

His love of magic started in Cub Scouts with a merit badge. His passion continued as he checked out books from the library, teaching himself more and more illusions.

“I think maybe I was a showoff,” Miller said of how his love of magic grew. “I love performing and making people laugh.”

Just as he followed in his family’s pharmacy tradition, showmanship is something he also gained from his family.

Miller’s father was a professional violinist before becoming a pharmacist, and Miller’s mother was a singer.

“I guess show biz ran in the family,” Miller said.

He was president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians from 2005 to 2006 and is the current treasurer. He is also currently president of the International Invisible Lodge.

The looming roast has given Miller the opportunity to reflect on his life up to this point. He says when thinking about what he most wants to be remember for, he recalls a news article written in 1920 about his grandfather, who came to America from Germany at the age of 16.

“The article said, ‘He prospered beyond his most sanguine expectations,’” Miller said. “I’ve always liked that. What I think I’ve prospered in most is family and friends.”

The Roast is Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Lake of the Forest Club House in Bonner Springs. Cocktails and live jazz music will be at 6 p.m., dinner will be at 7 p.m., and the roast will begin at 8 p.m. Formal dress is encouraged.

Roasters will include Dan Miller, Bryan Albers, John “Tiny” McTaggart, Walter Greer, and Del Coleman. The event will be hosted by entertainer and magician David Sandy and Rotary president Judy Miksch.

Tickets are $55, which includes dinner, music, entertainment and one drink ticket; VIP tickets are $85, which includes VIP seating, dinner, music, entertainment, two drink tickets, bottles of wine on the table and personal noise makers. A total of 30 seats area available. Tickets can be purchased by calling (913) 441-2584 or online at bonnerspringsrotary.org.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the International Rotary Club’s efforts to end polio, which still exists in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. Rotarians have a $200 million challenge in response to a grant challenge of $355 million given by the Bill and Linda Gates Foundation to eradicate polio. Each of the 33,000 Rotary clubs must raise at least $2,000 annually to meet this challenge by June 2012.

“We are excited to bring the community together to celebrate a dear friend and support a good cause — helping to end polio,” Miksch said. “We’re looking forward to a wonderful dinner, band and of course, the entertainment of roasting Roger!”

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