Joseph A. Miller, who was both librarian and a lecturer at the
School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES), died on
July 5 after a long illness. He was 64 years old.
Mr. Miller's association with F&ES began more than 30 years ago, when he came to New Haven in 1964 as a member of the staff of the Forest History Society, which was located in Marsh Hall. Five years later, he was appointed librarian of the school's Henry S. Graves Memorial Library and lecturer in forest history.
As F&ES librarian, Mr. Miller helped transform the non-standard cataloguing systems devised by a former dean of the school into a more modern and universal system. He also helped integrate the F&ES library into the University-wide library system.
"Library science has gone through several generations of technological changes over the past 30 years, and Joe Miller led our library through all of these," says Professor Graeme Berlyn of F&ES, noting that Mr. Miller established access to worldwide databases and helped train generations of students in the effective use of these information services. "Always Joe embraced technology not for itself but for its potential for service to the students and faculty of the school," says Berlyn, adding that Mr. Miller was one of the school's "most dedicated faculty members. To say that he will be sorely missed is an understatement."
As a lecturer at F&ES, Mr. Miller taught interdisciplinary courses in environmental history, society and energy systems, and forest mythology. He assisted the school's research centers, and edited the F&ES Bulletin Series, which included such seminal works as "Long Distance Trails," "Timber Supply from Private Forests" and "Age and Growth of Tropical Trees," among many others. He prepared extensive bibliographics and data bases of experts for the F&ES forest microbiology program and the Tropical Resource Institute. Among his publications was "The Island Press Bibliography of Environmental Literature." He also served as a consultant for private and governmental environmental organizations.
A resident of Hamden, Connecticut, Mr. Miller held master's degrees in history and library science as well as a doctorate in history from the University of Minnesota.
He is survived by his wife, Frances L. Miller; a daughter, Susan
Miller George of Hamden; two sons, Kerry Joseph Miller of New York City
and David Brian Miller of Branford; a sister, Carol R. Illies of Toronto;
and two grandsons, Kurt and Scott George. There will be a memorial serice
on Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of New Haven, 700
Hartford Turnpike, Hamden. Memorial contributions may be sent to the
United Way of Greater New Haven, 71 Orange St., New Haven, CT 06511.
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