Loyola celebrates the life of Melvin P. Miller, Ph.D., professor emeritus of chemistry

Melvin P. Miller, Ph.D., professor emeritus of chemistry, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. He was 89.

A 1957 graduate of Loyola, Miller joined the faculty in 1962 and would spend his entire 37-year career as a chemistry professor at his alma mater. He primarily taught general chemistry and physical chemistry.

“Mel and I were in across-the-hall offices in the chemistry department from 1979, when I began my Loyola career, until his retirement,” remembered Timothy J. McNeese, Ph.D., professor emeritus of chemistry. “He was a terrific colleague. Mel was someone who was thoughtful, helpful, and friendly.”

Born on May 17, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland, Miller graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School before coming to Loyola, where he studied chemistry. As a student at Loyola, he was an active member of the academic community, forming and serving as president of the Radio Club and serving as vice president of the Chemistry Club. He was also a member of the Physics and Music Clubs and was even featured in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

During the 1954-55 academic year, Miller was a member of an expedition to Cambodia, sponsored by the Air Force, where he served as a weather observer. The expedition was led by Father Edward S. Hauber, S.J., a chemistry professor and the namesake of Loyola’s Hauber Research Fellowship program.

Miller earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Princeton University before completing his post-doctoral studies at The Johns Hopkins University.

During his 37-year career at Loyola, Miller served as chair of the chemistry department and on the Board of Rank and Tenure, while continuing his involvement in the Radio Club. He was also a member of several committees, including the committee that planned the renovation of what was then the Jenkins Science Building in 1977. At a 1979 science seminar at Loyola discussing Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity and its impact on both scientific and unrelated disciplines, Miller spoke about specific heat capacity and Einstein’s theory.

In the classroom, Miller would conduct chemical demonstrations for his students. On several occasions, he supervised a simulation of the 1937 explosion of the Hindenburg, an 804-foot German airship, demonstrating the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen using a balloon and a plastic bag.

“I had the distinct honor of being taught by Mel Miller as an undergraduate,” said Andrew Schoeffield, Ph.D., ’82, associate professor of biology. “Mel had the ‘pleasure’ of having to shape my unfocused first-year self into a serious academician. I was not at the top of my game in general chemistry, but because of the skill and care of faculty like Mel Miller, I made it through. I am forever grateful.”

Miller’s dedication to Loyola and the field of chemistry were recognized throughout his career. He was named an “Outstanding Educator in America” in 1974, an annual award honoring exceptional service and leadership in education. In 1978, the former recipient of a National Science Foundation grant was celebrated by the Loyola College Alumni Association as one of the “Alumni of the Year” honorees, and in 1985 he received the Bene Merenti Medal for 25 years of service to Loyola.  

Miller is also remembered by colleagues for his warm and friendly demeanor, both with his fellow faculty and his students, and for his sense of humor.

“At the end of every semester,” said McNeese, “he would come into my office and say, ‘Tim, the students asked me today if there will be a review for the final.’ He’d get me laughing, then say, ‘I told them I’m not going to review for the final because I already know everything, but I think it’s a good idea that you review for the final.’”

A lifelong advocate of science and chemistry, Miller was a member and past chairman of the Maryland Section of the American Chemical Society, a responsibility he took very seriously, according to McNeese. David F. Roswell, Ph.D., Hauber professor emeritus of chemistry, recalled Miller’s commitment to the discipline of physical chemistry, and his research on molten salt.

In retirement, Miller volunteered with the National Park Service, assisting the rangers and doing demonstrations for visitors. An avid amateur radio enthusiast, he built antennas and radios to communicate with fellow hobbyists all over the world. He also enjoyed spending time on the water, fishing, and crabbing, including during annual family vacations to Rhode Island.

“As a fellow faculty member, Mel and I shared a love of fishing,” recalled Schoeffield. “We spent many hours fishing (not always catching) and talking. I loved our time together and am so very happy to have had those conversations with such a brilliant, soft-spoken, gentle, and caring individual.”

Mel is survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia; two children, Gregory, ’88, of Ashburn, Virginia, and Christopher, ’90, of Poolesville, Maryland; and five grandchildren, Thomas, Joseph, Madeline, Evan, and Colin.

“He was proud of his two children, Greg and Chris, both top students at Loyola, Greg in computer science and Chris in mathematics,” said McNeese. “I remember a beautiful wedding day picture of his wife, Ginny, that occupied a special place on his desk. Anyone who knew Melvin knew how much he loved his family.”

Arrangements

Family and friends will hold a celebration of life at the Evans Life Celebration Home on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at St. Ignatius Church-Hickory. Interment will be at Bel Air Memorial Gardens. Additional arrangement details are available in the official obituary.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Loyola’s Hauber Research Fellowship program.

Miller will be remembered in the intentions at Mass in Loyola’s Alumni Memorial Chapel on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at 12:10 p.m. All are welcome.