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Description area
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History
Dr. John E. Miller was born March 28, 1945 in Beloit, KS to Channing and Mildred. He received a B.A. in history from the University of Missouri and an M.A. and Ph. D. from the University of Wisconsin. Following graduation, he spent one year as a visiting professor at the University of Tulsa. He grew up in several town in Missouri, Illinois, and Missouri. He also served as a court reporter in the U.S. Army in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970.
Dr. Miller taught recent American history for 30 years. He taught for one years at the University of Tulsa before moving to South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota in 1974. He also taught while serving in the Army in Vietnam. Upon retirement he taught Osher Lifetime Learning Institute courses.
John authored, edited, and reviewed multiple books and numerous articles, most on history, but also on politics, creativity, literature, and small town culture. Notable books he wrote included: Looking for History on Highway 14, Small Town Dreams: Stories of Midwestern Boys who Shaped America, three influential books on Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Democracy’s Troubles: Twelve Threats to the American Ideal and How we Can Overcome Them.
John enjoyed golf, baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals, visits to Briggs Library, biking, and finding libraries and bookstores wherever he went. He combined research trips and conferences with family visits and vacations. He served on many church, community, and professional committees. He was also the winner of numerous scholarly awards, including the South Dakota Board of Regents Research Award, 2000; and the Herbert Schell Governor's Award for History, in 2001.
John Edward Miller died suddenly in his home in Brookings, SD on May 1, 2020 at the age of 75.