Colleagues and friends are planning a campus memorial service this spring for John E. Miller, 59, technical director and lighting designer at Union College's Yulman Theatre, who died Thursday, February 14.

Mr. Miller joined Union College in Schenectady, New York in 1987, inspiring students and colleagues throughout a career that included dozens of productions at Yulman Theater, the former theatre at the Nott Memorial, and local and regional venues. Mr. Miller was Union College's representative for USITT for several years. He was teaching a class this term on lighting design and was preparing for the upcoming winter dance concert.

A native of Amityville, New York, the son of Victor and Lucile (Schaaf) Miller, Mr. Miller was a graduate of the State University of New York College at Brockport, where he earned degrees in history and theatre. He also earned a master's degree in theatre from SUNY-Binghamton.

He worked at the Bristol Valley Playhouse in Naples, New York and was a founding member of Home Made Theater of Saratoga Springs. He was technical director for Curtain Call Theatre of Latham and actively involved with the Blue Roses Theatre of Schenectady High School. He had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and loved camping at Fish Creek in the Adirondacks.

Mr. Miller is survived by his wife Linda Dott; their children, Erik, Alyssa, Kristen and Tiana; his brother, James Miller; sisters, Jane (Robert) Riggs and Sally Miller; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his siblings Susan and Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for the children may be sent to: John E. Miller Memorial Fund, care of Trustco Bank, 1048 State St., Schenectady, NY 12307.

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