Miller, Harold Allan "Hal" Age 90 yrs old (July 12 1931- February 4 2022), Eugene, OR. Hal was born on a farm outside of Powell, Wyoming on July 12, 1931, a gift to his family after losing their 17 year old daughter to a burst appendix only 5 months prior. His mother was deep in the throes of grief, his surviving sister Marjorie credits Harold's birth for "saving the family". He was raised to work hard on the farm. It was this upbringing which he credits for a strong work ethic, and a desire to not be a farmer! The baby of the family, Harold was doted on by his 12 year old sister Marjorie. Hal and Patsy were married on September 16, 1950, settling down to sharecrop a piece of land given to him by his father. After a year of farming, Hal and Pasty realized that they were meant for the greener pastures of what would become a lifetime dedication to academia. They packed up for Minnesota, where they would pursue studies at Northwestern College. Harold continued his graduate work at the University of Minnesota, where he would eventually earn his Doctorate in Speech Communications and Higher Education. After teaching speech, debate and drama at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Harold and Patsy returned to the University of Minnesota, in 1971 Hal became the Dean of Continuing Education and extension. Harold's tenure was one of dedicated service to the University, where he worked tirelessly to expand the school's service to those in the community unable to attend college full-time. Anticipating the role technology could play in education, Harold's visionary efforts brought interactive television instruction. Upon his retirement in 1998, Harold would stand as the longest tenured Dean in the history of the University (27 years). Hal was honored by the University when they established a scholarship in his name. After retirement from the University in 1998, Harold was able to bring his expertise in higher education to his alma mater. He happily joined his wife Patsy (who taught at Northwestern for 15 years) as Vice President for Academic Affairs, and later served as Provost. His years working at Northwestern were some of the most fulfilling of his career. Hal was a man of staunch faith. Saved at a Billy Graham crusade in high school, it was his wife-to-be, Patsy, who got the spiritual ball rolling. When he first asked Patsy out on a date, she agreed on the condition that their first date would be to church. Homecoming King and Queen, these high school sweethearts shared a beautiful lifelong partnership of love which endured 71 years. Hal and Patsy raised three children by "walking the talk", and ensuring they had a strong faith upbringing. He prayed daily for his family and was quick to forgive. Hal set Proverbs 22:6 as a model: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it". It was this faith which he strove daily to integrate into not only his family life, but his career life as well. Though laser-focused on his work, he was a devoted husband and father. Dedicated to his children and grandchildren, he was a tireless advocate for their education and career pursuits, no matter what diverse paths they chose. He was generous to family members and supported many Christian missionaries. Each night he would sing cowboy songs to his kids, accompanying himself on guitar, then read to each one til they fell asleep. He carved out time for spring break ski trips to Colorado, as well as camping and fishing trips with Patsy and the kids. True to form, Harold was a lifelong learner. Whenever his kids developed a passion for something, he became an immediate fan, seeking to understand the finer points of the game or art form. The kids fondly remember bike rides around the lakes, Saturday yard work while listening to Garrison Keillor, family trips to the North Shore, and dad reading the Chronicles of Narnia to each of them. Hal and Patsy also had a knack for finishing each other's sentences with lines from plays and musicals. This would inevitably end in them both quoting the rest of the scene or song, eliciting a chorus of eye rolls from their school-age kids. Harold was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January. He was blessed to spend much of the remaining two weeks with all his children and many of his grandchildren, sharing memories and saying goodbyes. He passed away peacefully at home with Patsy by his side. Harold was warm, upbeat and positive to the end. He was loving to the end and had a heart of gold. Hal is preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary; sister Ruth; Marjorie who passed just two months after Hal, and granddaughter Kiki Li-Miller. Survived by loving wife of 71 years, Patsy daughter Sheree (A'Shanti), and sons Christopher (Roxanne), and James (Veronica), and 15 grandchildren A memorial service will be held for Harold at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, MN on Thursday, June 16th at 1pm. Memorial contributions can be made to Anselm House (P.O. Box 141007, Minneapolis, MN 55414) and the Julius Nolte-Harold Miller Scholarship Fund (Nolte-Miller Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Minnesota Foundation, P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN, 55486).