Ron Miller, Diane Disney Miller's husband and Walt Disney's son-in-law, President of the Board of directors at The Walt Disney Family Museum and owner of Silverado vineyards, died Saturday in Napa, California, at the age 85.

“Everyone at The Walt Disney Company is deeply saddened by the passing of Ron Miller. His life and legacy are inextricably linked with our Company and the Disney family because he was such a vital part of both, as our CEO and Walt’s son-in-law,” states Bob Iger, chairman & CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “Few people had Ron’s understanding of our history, or a deeper appreciation and respect for our company, and he shared it generously with anyone who wanted to know more. I was fortunate to have known him, and even luckier to have called him a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Miller was born in 1933. At the age of 21, while playing for the University of Southern California football team, he was introduced to 20-year-old Diane Disney on a blind date. They got married in Santa Barbara on May 9, 1954, and enjoyed a happy marriage until Diane’s death in 2013.

He began his career at the most famous animation studio as a member of the original Disneyland team, as employee number 6. For his first chance to work directly in film production, Miller was fortunate enough to become a second assistant on the Old Yeller in 1957. He later worked as an associate producer on such films as Bon Voyage, Summer Magic, Moon Pilot and A Tiger Walks. His debut as a producer was on the film Never a Dull Moment.

Eventually, on the path CEO, he pushed the company to expand, creating Walt Disney Home Video, Touchstone Pictures and The Disney Channel, as well as the Epcot Center and Tokyo Disneyland theme parks.

The service will be private and the museum has not yet planned a public commemoration of Ron.

Never a Dull Moment

That Darn Cat!

Ron Miller with Mickey

Ron Miller with Roy Disney (Credit: AP/Rex/Shutterstock)

Ron and Diane with Walt at wedding