Paul A. Miller

PAUL  AUSBORN  MILLER

March 22, 1917 – June 5, 2015

Born in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia in 1917 at the start of the involvement of the United States in World War I, Paul Miller’s life story is emblematic of how perseverance can overcome the many obstacles life throws at us. Active in 4H during his youth, Miller graduated from high school in Newell, WV, then pursued university studies first at Bethany (WV) College before graduating from West Virginia University. Following graduation from WVU in 1939 he served as a county agricultural extension agent in Ritchie and Nicholas Counties in West Virginia. Upon the entry of the United States into World War II, Miller enlisted in the US Army Air Corps where he served as a navigator in the AAF Ferry Command until his honorable discharge in December 1945. He then enrolled in graduate studies at Michigan State University earning a PhD in Anthropology and Sociology in 1953.

This launched what was to become a 50+ year academic career first at Michigan State where he served as a faculty member, Director of Cooperative Extension, and Provost. In 1962 he became President of West Virginia University serving there until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson appointed him the first Assistant Secretary for Education in the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare.

Following a year of service (1968-1969) as a professor at the newly established University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Miller was appointed President of Rochester Institute of Technology. He served in that role until 1979 when he returned to the RIT faculty as a professor in the Division of Science and Humanities.

Following retirement from RIT, Miller served as an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia prior to moving to Montrose, Colorado in 2011.

Miller was preceded in death by his first wife Catherine Spiker Miller, his second wife Francena Lounsbery Miller and his son Thomas A. Miller. He is survived by his daughter Paula Miller Nolan, son-in-law Michael F. Nolan and faithful canine companion Ben of Montrose. Colorado; three grandsons – Ryan (Barbara) Thrush of Delta Colorado, Evan (Jen)Thrush of San Anselmo California, and Christopher (Jenny) Nolan of San Tan Valley Arizona; and seven great-grandchildren.

Paul Miller’s life is chronicled in his professional memoir Bridging Campus and Community. Contributions in his memory can be made to HopeWest, Montrose Colorado. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.  Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co. is assisting the family.