Rhett William Millhorn

On 03/14/2014 we tragically lost a husband, father, brother, uncle, son-and-brother-in-law. Rhett was preceded in death by his parents, William (July 2, 2010) and Sunshine Millhorn (July 26, 2010), and is survived by the following family members: wife and son, Caroline Cave and William Geoffrey Millhorn; parents-in-law, Geoffrey and Pauline Cave; sister Collette and her husband, Don McIntyre; sister Melanie Millhorn and her husband, Robert Weeden; forever best friend and brother Brad Millhorn and his wife, Mischelle Pennoyer; nieces Chelsea Weeden, Ashley Winton (Anderson) and her husband Evan Winton and Donna Weirauch (McIntyre) and her husband Tyler Weirauch; nephews Suhr Dallas McIntyre and Connor Millhorn; and ex-wife and friend Kathrin Millhorn. Rhett was born on the island of Truk (now renamed Chuuk) in the South Pacific on July 24, 1964 and gathered his life experiences in a variety of places thereafter. He was named after the character "Rhett," from the book, "Gone with the Wind." He attended grade school in Hawaii and Idaho and high school and college in Washington. He inherited a strong work ethic from his parents and he proudly served in the Navy aboard the USS Constellation. After serving in the Navy, Rhett followed his parents and two of his siblings to Alaska. Thereafter, Juneau became his long-time home. Rhett had several chapters in his work history, which included an environmental and safety position with Kensington Mine, a safety position on the North Slope and a chapter of brewing beer in Juneau at the Alaskan Brewing Company. Thereafter Rhett found his true work identity and purpose, which was to work underground alongside his brother at Greens Creek Mine on Admiralty Island. Underground mining became Rhett's career and his passion. In 2012, Rhett relocated to Denver, CO where he worked as a federal mine safety inspector (DOL-MSHA). To those who knew him best, Rhett was a private, introspective and intelligent man who was loyal, extremely generous, kind and sentimental. He was dry-witted and very smart in terms of knowing many things: one outcome was that he did not "suffer fools" easily. Rhett loved to ride his Harley with his brother Brad and ESB remained one of his fondest beers, although he was not opposed to sampling the competition. Rhett married the love of his life Caroline Cave in Newcastle, Australia in 2009. He met Caroline while working at Greens Creek Mine and when he became a father in 2011, his sometimes-rough edges started to soften. Rhett was a protective and loving father, who cherished his responsibility proudly. A private family burial will take place at Loon Lake, WA sometime in the spring. Remembrances can be made to a memorial fund for his son, William Geoffrey Millhorn, care of Wells Fargo (Savings Acct #1265158442). Please share your memories of Rhett and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook.