Frank H. Miller
Frank H. Miller, long-time agricultural educator, died on November 29, 2011, in Portland, OR. We celebrate his 98 years of love and care as a steadfast partner and parent, wise and encouraging guide, seeker of Divine direction, and adventurer.
Born to Jacob and Mae (Marcrum) Miller on January 10, 1913, Frank grew up near Hydro, OK. He rode a horse to school as a boy, labored with his father on their wheat farm, and earned two degrees in agriculture — a B.S. in animal husbandry from Oklahoma A&M and an M.S. in agricultural economics from Purdue University.
His was a life of service. Besides teaching at the University of Wisconsin and Connors State College (OK), Frank managed several of the top Aberdeen Angus herds in the nation before buying his own farm in Indiana.
He spent 10 years as the Veterans On-Farm Training program instructor for Wabash County.
In 1959, he joined Purdue’s Cooperative Extension Service with “Better Farming & Better Living” responsibilities in Kosciusko County. Frank also drove thousands of miles and invested long hours, consulting with farmers as a Farm Management and Livestock agent serving nine counties. He retired in 1979 as County Extension Director for Wabash County.
In later years, his passion was volunteering for Heifer International. He sought livestock donations from dairymen in three states, helped launch a community-wide fundraiser that generated thousands of dollars annually, and delivered livestock to remote villages in Guatemala.
Frank also saw exploration — both outer and inner — as important, touring 15 countries and much of the U.S. with family in tow. At age 78, he explored Montana wilderness by horseback. Atop a towering bluff, Frank wrote about feeling in harmony with the universe, about “peace without understanding” — a peek into the soul-filled questions he explored over many years.
Resiliency was his signature trait, caring for two wives with serious illnesses, tackling open-heart surgery when he was 89, and persevering through other life challenges. He was also known for being up front and honest in all his dealings.
Whether helping a son build his house or delighting in play with a young granddaughter, family mattered to Frank. He was the ‘bridge’ between multiple generations and communicated faithfully with extended family and friends on birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. One of his special pleasures was documenting family travels/visits, sharing his carefully scripted slide shows with friends and loved ones.
He celebrated 50 years of marriage with Esther I. Book, later moving to Portland at the age of 80 for 18 years of blessings and joy with Ruth M. Hauck. Esther and Ruth preceded him in death in 1986 and 2011. Survivors include sons Robin (Vivian) of Salinas, CA, and Michael (Carol) of Cazadero, CA; daughters Judy Lane (Bob) of Putney, KY, and Lynette James (Jerry) of Bloomington, IN; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will occur this spring. Check this link for details as they become available: http://tinyurl.com/MillerObit
Donations to Heifer International via http://tinyurl.com/MillerHeifer
Frank H. Miller
Frank H. Miller, long-time agricultural educator, died on November 29, 2011, in Portland, OR. We celebrate his 98 years of love and care as a steadfast partner and parent, wise and encouraging guide, seeker of Divine direction, and adventurer.
Born to Jacob and Mae (Marcrum) Miller on January 10, 1913, Frank grew up near Hydro, OK. He rode a horse to school as a boy, labored with his father on their wheat farm, and earned two degrees in agriculture — a B.S. in animal husbandry from Oklahoma A&M and an M.S. in agricultural economics from Purdue University.
His was a life of service. Besides teaching at the University of Wisconsin and Connors State College (OK), Frank managed several of the top Aberdeen Angus herds in the nation before buying his own farm in Indiana.
He spent 10 years as the Veterans On-Farm Training program instructor for Wabash County.
In 1959, he joined Purdue’s Cooperative Extension Service with “Better Farming & Better Living” responsibilities in Kosciusko County. Frank also drove thousands of miles and invested long hours, consulting with farmers as a Farm Management and Livestock agent serving nine counties. He retired in 1979 as County Extension Director for Wabash County.
In later years, his passion was volunteering for Heifer International. He sought livestock donations from dairymen in three states, helped launch a community-wide fundraiser that generated thousands of dollars annually, and delivered livestock to remote villages in Guatemala.
Frank also saw exploration — both outer and inner — as important, touring 15 countries and much of the U.S. with family in tow. At age 78, he explored Montana wilderness by horseback. Atop a towering bluff, Frank wrote about feeling in harmony with the universe, about “peace without understanding” — a peek into the soul-filled questions he explored over many years.
Resiliency was his signature trait, caring for two wives with serious illnesses, tackling open-heart surgery when he was 89, and persevering through other life challenges. He was also known for being up front and honest in all his dealings.
Whether helping a son build his house or delighting in play with a young granddaughter, family mattered to Frank. He was the ‘bridge’ between multiple generations and communicated faithfully with extended family and friends on birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. One of his special pleasures was documenting family travels/visits, sharing his carefully scripted slide shows with friends and loved ones.
He celebrated 50 years of marriage with Esther I. Book, later moving to Portland at the age of 80 for 18 years of blessings and joy with Ruth M. Hauck. Esther and Ruth preceded him in death in 1986 and 2011. Survivors include sons Robin (Vivian) of Salinas, CA, and Michael (Carol) of Cazadero, CA; daughters Judy Lane (Bob) of Putney, KY, and Lynette James (Jerry) of Bloomington, IN; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will occur this spring. Check this link for details as they become available: http://tinyurl.com/MillerObit
Donations to Heifer International via http://tinyurl.com/MillerHeifer
