Dr. Stephen Wilmot Miller of Edgartown and formerly of Lexington, died surrounded by family on Nov. 13 after a brief illness. He was 80.

He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, the only son of Dorothy F. Miller and attorney Donald C. Miller. He graduated first in his Lancaster High School class and felt a lifelong affection for the town where his close family members lived within a few blocks of one another for generations.

Steve was drawn by a strong interest in science and enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was inducted into the Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu Association engineering honor societies, played string bass in the symphony and Techtonians, and lettered in varsity fencing. He graduated in 1963 with a degree in electrical engineering.

He continued his education at Yale University School of Medicine, graduating in 1967. In his third year, he met Christina K. Gilbert who was working in her first job as a registered nurse. Three months later Steve proposed and six months later they married in Northampton. Steve and Chris honeymooned on Martha’s Vineyard, little realizing what a special place the Island would continue to be throughout their married life.

His surgical internship at the New England Medical Center was followed by service as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service.

His family, which now included son Scott, returned to Boston for a residency in diagnostic radiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by a fellowship in cardiovascular radiology at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital with training in congenital heart disease at Boston Children’s Hospital. he then returned to the Massachusetts General Hospital where his career as radiologist and associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School spanned 43 years until his retirement in 2013.

During his career, he was recognized with many awards including fellowships from the American College of Radiology and the American Heart Association, scholarships from the Macy Institute at Harvard Medical School and James Picker Foundation, and funding from National Institute of Health. He wrote more than 60 peer-reviewed papers and seven medical textbooks, including the primary book for imaging the heart.

Dr. Miller received the teaching award from the Massachusetts General Hospital in recognition of his dedication to resident education, the radiology teaching award from Mount Auburn Hospital, and a lifetime service award from the American Board of Radiology.

Always proud of his Ohio roots, he cherished induction into the Lancaster High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

In 1998, at the request of the Massachusetts General Hospital radiology department chairman, he was asked to set up the newly-created radiology practice at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital where he was appointed chief of diagnostic imaging.

Steve, Chris and family lived in Lexington for many years where Steve served three terms as an elected town meeting member. Vacations were spent on the Vineyard. Over the years, weekend getaways evolved into weeklong vacations, summer house rentals, buying land and building a Cape in Edgartown, which over time with additions became the year-round home.

He enjoyed sailing and his Herreshoff sailboat is a common sight in Edgartown harbor waters. His fondest memories were long dog walks with Christina and their Irish setter, and summers spent at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club while sailing and playing tennis with his grandchildren.

Steve was the Cape and Islands regional chairman for educational councilors at MIT, a Massachusetts Audubon Society councilor, and board member of the Edgartown Council on Aging. He ran road races and in later years won trophies for his age group in Vineyard races.

He is survived by Christina, his wife of 55 years, of Edgartown; son Scott Miller, daughter in law Dr. Lisa Cosimi, grandchildren Caleb Miller and Sydney Miller of Lexington; sister Joyce of Pinellas Park, Fla., nephew Garrett Emerson of Virginia Beach; and cousins Cindy and Larry Berens of Lancaster, Ohio and Jeff and Janet Graf of Ohio.

A graveside service was held at New Westside Cemetery in Edgartown. A celebration of life is planned for early spring.

Donations can be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 494 , Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, P. O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, or the Sea Education Association, P.O. Box 6, Woods Hole, MA 02543.