Richard Miles

Timeline of Events
Saturday January 31: Richard did not report to work for his usual shift as a program
presenter at the Science Center of Iowa (SCI.)
Monday February 2: SCI staff contacted DM Police to file a missing person report.
Monday February 9, at about 1 a.m.: Richard contacted Katie Hopper (the mother of
Richards daughter) and told her that he had been in California and was going to head
back to Iowa
Monday, February 9 at 9:27 a.m.: Harry Aller (a friend) sent Richard the following text,
Richard, glad to hear you are ok. If you need anything, please know I am here for you.
Just ask and Ill be there.
Monday, February 9 at 7:07 p.m.: Harry Aller received the following text, Thanks
Harry. I know. I didnt mean to get people worried. I just need to spend some time at the
hospital to figure things out.
Monday February 9 at 9:30 p.m.: Richard called and let Katie know that he had left
California and was in Nevada.
Wednesday February 11 at 7:15 a.m.: Richard arrived at Katies house. He stayed
with her through Tuesday February 17 at noon.
Sunday February 15 at about 6:30 p.m.: Richard decided to go to the VA Hospital for
inpatient treatment. He gave Katie his work keys and ID to return, as well as his
apartment keys and a list of items he wanted Katie to get from his apartment for when
he returned. He confirmed with Katie via text that he was at the VA Hospital and Katie
drove by the VA to confirm that he was there.
Sunday February 15 at about 9:00 p.m.: Richard came back to Katies home and said
that the VA Hospital gave him medication (similar medication he had been given before)
and said his psychiatrist would contact him to set up an appointment. Katie relayed that
she thought Richard would be gone for days or even weeks and Richard said he
thought so too, but that he had medication and it was a start.
Tuesday February 17 around noon: Richard left Katies house. He told their daughter
he had some things he needed to take care of and that he would see her later. He told
their daughter that he loved her and gave her a big hug. He told Katies mom (who was
watching their daughter at the time) goodbye and left. This was the last time anyone

saw him. Katie and Richard shared a cell phone plan. Katie lost his phone signal at 630
p.m. that evening meaning he either turned his phone off, or it lost power.
Friday February 20 at 3:36 p.m.: A man walking his dog called police to report that
there was a body found in the woods of Water Works Park in Des Moines Iowa. That
body was the body of Richard Miles.

Statement from Friends of Richard Miles

Richard Miles was a warm, positive and service oriented person. He always sought to
help others even if that help meant putting himself in harms way.
Miles joined the army in 2002 and served through 2006. He was based out of Ft. Riley
Kansas and had served as a sergeant, Squad Leader and Protocol Manager. Among
other things Miles was responsible for running an office for the Chief of Staff.
While serving our country Miles was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for
Leadership and Duty During Combat Operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq 2003-2004, the
Army Commendation Medal for Leadership in C Battery, 4/3 ADA, 1stBrigade, 1st ID,
Fort Riley Kansas, 2002-2005. Miles was also awarded the U.S. Army Good Conduct
Medal for Service from 2002-2005 and the Combat Action Badge for Combat Action
seen during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2, 2003-2004.
Miles suffered from PTSD as a result of his service to our country. He took the
courageous step of seeking assistance, but that assistance could not be given to him at
the time he needed it. We do not fault the staff at the VA Hospital for his inability to gain
assistance, but we do feel that the system and the process that our veterans must go
through is not efficient and does not allow assistance to be given at the time assistance
is needed most.
If somebody reaches out for help, they have to be able to get the help on the first try.,
says Harry Aller. This is not unique to Richard Miles. According to the Department of
Veteran Affairs 22 veterans a day commit suicide once every 65 minutes. The
national average wait time for mental health assistance from the VA is more than a
month. Something must be done for our service men and women who sacrifice so much
during their deployments, and clearly endure so much upon their return home.
Most will remember Miles from his time at the Science Center of Iowa where he shared
his love of physics, astronomy and other aspects of science with visitors from 19922002 and again shortly after he returned from service.
Richard was not only a great educator and coworker, he was an amazing friend, the
best partner to co-parent with and above all, a devoted and amazing father. He will be
fiercely missed., says Katie Hopper. We are very grateful for the outpouring of support
from many visitors to the Science Center young and old who have been touched by
Richards sincere interest in every individual learning a little bit more about the world
around them than they may have known before they visited the science center. We are

hopeful that the curiosity and inquisition that is at the essence of the science Richard
shared with so many will be used to help find ways to ensure that those that follow
Richard, those who need assistance can find a way to receive that assistance.