Edward "Ed" George Miller

Professor Emeritus Edward G. Miller, 91, finished his remarkable journey on February 8, 2026, in North Manchester, Indiana.

Ed was born on March 29, 1934, at the family farm in Columbiana, Ohio, to Adin L. Miller and Mabel (Metzler) Miller. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Martha A. (Showalter) Miller of North Manchester, IN, daughter Michele Marie Miller Bever (Steven Bever) of Hastings, NE, son Michael Kenton Miller (Stephanie Gall Miller) of Henderson, NV, and much-loved grandchildren Carly Jean Miller (Henderson, NV) and Zachary Kenton Miller (Henderson, NV). He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Donald B. Miller.

A lifelong scholar, Ed graduated from Columbiana High School as salutatorian and from Manchester College (University) with distinction (1956). He earned his PhD in organic chemistry following graduate studies with research director Dr. Jerrold Meinwald at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Returning to Manchester University in 1960, he began his 38-year career in undergraduate teaching, shaping lives of students as they found their ways into science, health, and service careers. He served 27 years as Chair of the Chemistry Department.

In the 1960s, Ed completed postdoctoral studies at Princeton University with Dr. Kurt Mislow, under a United States Public Health Fellowship, and was a Summer Research Associate at the University of California Berkeley with Dr. Frederick Jensen, under a National Science Foundation grant.

He found his passion for international travel and service after college when he and fiancée Martha Showalter participated in a Church of the Brethren (COB) international work camp in Llano Grande, Ecuador, led by Claude and June Wolfe. For his M.U. 1971-72 sabbatical, Ed, Martha and children lived in Dumaguete, Philippines, for 10 months, where he was a visiting professor of chemistry at Silliman University. This trip-around-the-world experience included visits to Hawaii and Japan on the way to the Philippines, a three-month return journey through seventeen countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, and culminating in a trip across the Atlantic Ocean from England to New York City on the S.S. France. These adventures and explorations of world cultures were life-changing experiences for the entire family.

Professor Miller sought to bring some of these same life-changing opportunities to his students. In 1981, he initiated the Manchester University Medical Practicum course, a popular January term, 3-week service-learning experience designed for students considering careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, etc. Students gain hands-on experience alongside health professionals (many are M.U. alumni) to bring health services to underserved areas. He directed 19 Medical Practicum trips in six Central American countries and participated in six additional trips. Including the 40th Medical Practicum trip in January 2026, 482 Manchester students, along with 160 different health care providers and 73 other staffers have served more than 54,000 patients since the practicum’s inception.

Ed enjoyed his experiences as a Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA) Director at Hokusei University in Sapporo, Japan, and as an Interim BCA Director in Xalapa, Mexico. His international service continued into retirement, contributing to a COB Work Camp in Ecuador in 2003 and a Manchester COB Work Camp in San Rafael, El Salvador in 2007.

Humbly accepted, his scholarship and service were recognized throughout his career, as recipient of the CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) Silver Medalist Award, a Manchester University Alumni Service Award, the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service (sponsored by Ft. Wayne NBC), the Manchester College Citation for Responsible Philanthropy, and a Manchester University Alumni Honor Award.

Ed’s travel experiences, including world travels after retirement, took him - and Martha - to 49 states, 82 countries, and 6 continents. His wide-ranging interests included music, reading and puzzles of all kinds; gardening, camping and bird watching; making homemade breads, soups, hummus and applesauce; researching chemistry genealogies; fully supporting his life partner, Martha, in all her endeavors; and creating opportunities for the whole family to explore, together, the natural features, flora and fauna, and cultural history of a destination.

A celebration of Ed’s life will be held March 28, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana. Visitation will take place following the service.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Ed Miller, memorial contributions may be made to M.U. at 604 East College Ave., North Manchester, Indiana 46962:

• Manchester University Medical Practicum Endowment Fund
• The Miller Study Abroad Scholarship (for students majoring in the natural and health sciences)
• The Donald B. Miller Student Research Fund (undergraduate student research in chemistry or biology-chemistry)
• Or: Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.