PITTSBURGH -- The man credited with saving the Duquesne Incline in the 1960s has passed away.

Back then, David Miller and his wife went door-to-door seeking donations to keep the Pittsburgh landmark up and running.

Broken gears and rusty tracks caused the incline to shut down the day after Thanksgiving in 1962, and if it weren’t for the Mount Washington engineer, it might have closed for good.

"The time they put in it, among others, but mostly Dave and Ruth, and never took no money out of it, no salary," said Jim Presken of the Duquesne Incline. "Just got involved and just kept it going."

For 40 years, the Millers raised money for the incline, with Ruth Miller keeping the records in order while her husband worked on the incline, making improvements and repairs.

"The incline wouldn't be here if it wasn't for David and Ruth Miller," said incline treasurer Pat Smith.

"They care for this like you would care for your own children," said incline volunteer Margaret Sommerer.

During summer months, more than 500 people ride the incline each week. Up to 3,000 ride it on the weekends.

"I can't even quantify his contribution and what he's done for the city or Mount Washington," said incline rider Teala Newman. "It is like a legacy that he leaves."

At the incline on Tuesday, the American flag flew at half-staff to honor Miller.

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