Member Spotlight – James (Jim) Miller
Growing up in Pennsylvania during the Great Depression proved to be an interesting time in Jim Miller’s young life. With his large family of five brothers and one sister, him being the last, he remembers serious poverty in the small rural village at the base of the mountains where they live. His father attempted to make a living as a trucker during those tough times. The family later moved to Goshen, IN which is why Jim has his roots here now.
After an active family life in Goshen, Jim went to Goshen College where he majored in Sociology and minored in Chemistry. Originally he intended to be a physician, but decided against this and did not look back. It was his love for working with people that led him to the social work arena. He noted that working in a laboratory, for him, seemed a bit nightmarish!
He completed his graduate work at Ohio State with a Sociology/Social Work Masters Degree. The first date led them to the many wonderful years of marriage that they have shared until this day. His first job leading to his 55th year in 2010, started in Dayton, Ohio at a Family Services Agency. He now consults part-time for many not-for-profits in the area of Strategic Planning. He has over the years acted as an Interim Executive Director for many agencies across the United States where he relocates temporarily for 6-9 months in an apartment while visiting home regularly. Through his travels he has officially visited all 50 states in the US as well as several provinces in Canada and traveled to Europe.
Following college Jim began dating the sister of one of his friends whom he had known previously. The first date led to their strong relationship today. His wife enjoyed a career as a nurse and PhD. She also taught at Ball State and is now enjoying retirement to its fullest, but does work part-time at the Simon Cancer Center. They enjoy two grown sons and their families. One resides in Indianapolis, while the other in Michigan and their grandchildren include two college age grandsons with a granddaughter who is five. Jim and his wife enjoy spending time with their granddaughter as they travel to their second home in Michigan regularly.
Active in their church at Meridian Street United Methodist when asked what the greatest words of wisdom Jim has enjoyed and stuck to he indicated a simple, “Be grateful!”. His tenure with Rotary dates back to 1968 in Illinois and then he joined our downtown club in 1974. He has been active in the Education Committee particularly in the arena of Rotaract at IUPUI. He began working with them at their inception to assist with donated consulting and setting up their group. He has also enjoyed his time spent at the various 4-Way Tests that the education committee sponsors. He believes that Rotary is powerful and our motto places others interests above our own.
Jim’s hobbies include photography and biking. He noted that he has traditionally taken a photo for the annual Christmas card as well as its caption.
When asked what is next for him, he intends to lessen consulting in a couple of years and retire fully.
He intends to take more time to write and get organized so his children don’t have to do it for him later. With no regrets, he feels every season of his life has offered him more and more and that “old age” is the best part of his life! (I assured him I didn’t think he was old!).
Written by Dene Dresch Nidiffer, Lohr Design, Inc.
