Miller, L. Wallace (1904-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 May 14 p. 2

Birth date: 1904 Mar 11

text of obituary:

Retired University And College Teacher Dies in California

Goshen, Ind. — Relatives here received word that L. Wallace Miller of San Diego, Calif, died suddenly on May 6 in a San Diego hospital following a heart attack in his home that morning. The funeral services were held in San Diego on Sunday, May 10.

Born near Wellman, Iowa on March 11, 1904, he attended public school in that state. A graduate of both Hesston Academy and Goshen College, he had a wide circle of friends among his schoolmates as well as among his students and fellow teachers in the areas where he taught.

His wife, the former Ada Smith of Eureka, Ill., a son Dr. James Miller, and a daughter Mrs. Janet Kay Hinds survive him, as well as Dr. Hinds and their two children. A brother, Dr. Glen R. Miller of Goshen, and sister Mrs. Jacob (Erma) Erb of Kalona, Iowa, also survive.

In 1933 he received his Ph.D. degree in botany from the University of Iowa. He taught in elementary and high schools in Iowa and Illinois, two years in the University of Arkansas, 22 years in Illinois State University at Normal, and since 1957 at Chico State College, Chico, Calif. At Chico he was dean of the School of Natural Sciences. In the summer of 1969 he retired after 40 years of teaching and administrative work.

Formerly members of the Mennonite Church in Normal, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Miller became active in the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Miller served as church school superintendent, as trustee, and as elder in the church. He was also active in the Kiwanis Club.

In 1970 Dr. and Mrs. Miller took a long automobile trip, visiting their brothers and sisters and many other relatives and friends in Florida, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, and had been back in their home in San Diego only a short time when death came to Mr. Miller.

(Submitted by Melvin Gingerich, a life-long friend and a former roommate of Wallace Miller.)