Michael H. Millar died January 4, 2013, from malignant melanoma. He was born on August 7, 1932, the son of Helen Jackson and John Millar. He grew up in Chicago, graduating from Hyde Park High School in 1950. He moved east to attend Harvard University, and met Ruth Covino. They wed on June 6, 1953. After graduation, they moved back to Chicago for Mike's graduate work at the University of Chicago, where he earned his master's degree and, in later years, his doctorate. Mike and Ruth moved their young family to Cedar Falls in 1962, where he began his teaching career in the mathematics department at the University of Northern Iowa. He remained at UNI until his retirement in 2002.
Mike was very active on campus, developing numerous new courses for the math department and InterAmerican studies. His pride was working with the American Federation of Teachers, serving as president for many years. A true educator, he was honored with Iowa's Distinguished Mathematics Teacher Award. He taught summers in Colombia, China, Jamaica, Belize, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. He held many interests: he loved Haitian art, politics, books, history, Scrabble, and going to the movies. He believed strongly in worker's rights and civil rights for all people. He worked closely with the Cedar Valley Names Project during the AIDS crisis and was proud to see the quilt several times on the National Mall in Washington, D. C.
By far, his most appreciated work was that of husband and father. Patient, kind, and adventurous, he treated his kids to weekly outings of sledding, bowling, cheeseburgers, bike rides, and drive-in movie marathons. He is survived by his wife of nearly sixty years, Ruth Covino Millar; his children, Paula (Jim) Coombs of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Ken Millar of Tampa, Florida, Tom (Sue) Millar of New Port Ritchey, Florida, Susan Millar (Dennis Barnett) of Cedar Rapids, and Eric (Stacey) Millar of Washburn; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Pat Eichenlaub of Fort Myers, Florida; a brother in-law, George (Marie) Covino of Medford, Massachusetts; and sisters-in-law, Mary Covino of San Antonio, JoAnn (Paul) Gastanguay of Billerica, Massachusetts, and Lorraine Millar of North Branford, Connecticut. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Lynn Millar; his brother, Jack; a niece; a nephew; and his parents.
Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Richardson Funeral Service, with private burial in Greenwood Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to The Michael H. Millar Endowed Scholarship Fund, UNI Foundation, 204 Commons, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0282, or to the Cedar Falls Public Library.
Copyright Waterloo Courier on-line edition; downloaded January 7, 2013.