Celebrating the life of Ray A. Miller

Dressed to the nines in Buckeye gear, Ray A. Miller was always a standout at Ohio State University events. Anyone who heard the tenor/baritone singer belt out Carmen Ohio could feel his love and passion for the university and the college he had been a part of for more than 50 years.

Miller passed away June 12, after a four-year battle with leukemia. He leaves behind a loving family, a legacy of service, and college friends full of fond memories.

In 2002, Miller retired as assistant dean of student affairs from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, where he had inspired generations of students. He recruited and counseled undergraduates, taught agricultural classes, led study-abroad trips to Brazil and the Dominican Republic and lent his expertise to numerous student and alumni organizations.

After retirement, Miller continued as the college’s alumni coordinator. He launched Fallfest, an annual gathering of the college’s alumni and was a fixture at every football bowl game where he and his wife, Linda, passed out homemade buckeye necklaces at college celebrations.

Miller first arrived at Ohio State University as a student in the early 1960s. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1966, his master's in 1968 and his Ph.D. in 1976, all in agricultural education.

In 2010, he received the E. Gordon Gee Spirit of Ohio State Award. He also received the Jo Failer Award for Student Service, the Distinguished Service to Student Development Award, the Alfred J. Wright Award for Outstanding Student Organization Adviser, the Greek Alumni Service Award and the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association Distinguished Service Award. He has been inducted into the Farm Science Review Hall of Fame.

Miller thrived outside of work as well. As a member of the Scioto Ridge Boys Gospel Quartet, Miller performed throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana and recorded five CDs. Friends looked forward to “Uncle Ray’s Peanut Brittle” at Christmas time.

Along with his wife, their two sons, Brett and Todd, and their families survive him.