Mark DH Miller

Oct. 12, 1945 - Nov. 23, 2023

An early pioneer in data science and supercomputing, United States Army veteran, and former University of Oregon athlete - as well as a beloved brother, father, and husband - Mark Dudley Henry Miller, 78, passed away unexpectedly in his home in Springfield, Oregon, November 23, 2023. Mark was born in Salem, Oregon in 1945 to Ernest and Vivian Miller. He was the first-born son of seven siblings after two older sisters. He tended the family farm, read a lot of books, played sports including track, and occasionally made trouble in Bend, Oregon. Mark attended Bend High School and graduated at the top of his class before moving on to study Geography (and run track) at University of Oregon. It is also in these years that enlisted in the Army and served his country in tours in Latin America, notably, Panama. After his army service he returned to complete his studies in Oregon, and was married to his first wife Mavis on December 19th, 1970 in Eugene, Oregon. Upon graduating from U of O, Mark went on to receive a Danforth Fellowship which he used to pursue graduate studies at Syracuse University in New York state, where he received his Master’s degree and began his career working with computers and data for the University, first at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and then for Faculty Computing services. Mark also explored supercomputing, including visits to both Cornell and Michigan centers, assisted in faculty research by providing consulting support on large scale statistical analyses, and then also briefly taught statistics at Syracuse University. It is in Syracuse, New York, that Mark and his wife Mavis raised their two children, Allison and Benjamin Miller. Both children learned to read early, and became interested in technology - perhaps not much of a surprise given the stacks of books around the house, or the joy of playing with the computers that Mark brought home from the office. Both Allison and Benjamin ended up studying and then pursuing careers in technology, and Mark loved hearing details of their work and sharing with others. At Mark’s 40th high school reunion, he reconnected with a friend from high school, and love bloomed. On October 10, 2004, Mark married Charlotte (Sandy), in Eugene, Oregon in a lively ceremony that included not only Mark and Sandy’s children, but Sandy’s grandchildren. Devoted to their family, upon Mark’s retirement from Syracuse University, the pair soon made the move back to Eugene to be closer to their Oregon family. Mark will always be remembered for his adventurous spirit. Anyone who spent time with him was probably recommended articles, books, music - or food - that they’d never tried before or even heard of. In Syracuse, you’d definitely be stopping by Erawan Thai and in Springfield, it was Ciao Pizza Trattoria - in either case, Mark was on a first-name basis with the owners and staff. Mark delighted in exploration, and sharing ideas and places he most enjoyed. He loved the outdoors and also history, and was equally excited to narrate walking trips through cities like Toronto and Philadelphia as he was to point out his favorite trees (Douglas Fir, naturally) and rock formations (anything volcanic especially thrilling) along the Central Oregon Coast. Mark was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy, his oldest sister Kathy Putney, and youngest brother James Miller. He is survived by his children, Allison Miller (Charlotte, North Carolina) and Benjamin and Melissa Miller (Sterling, Virginia); his step-children Wendy and Bob Laing (Eugene, Oregon), and Michael Smith (Coronado, California); his step-grandchildren Elizabeth Laing (Portland, Oregon), Kate Laing (Santa Monica, California), Paul Laing (Nashville, Tennessee), and Emma Laing (Eugene, Oregon); and his siblings Priscilla Kimboko (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Philip Miller (Orcas Island, Washington), Beth King (Falls City, Oregon), and Glenda Grace (Bowling Green, Kentucky). The family sincerely appreciates the kind words, prayers and support of others during this difficult time. Services are being planned. In the interim, if you would like to make a donation in Mark’s memory, we might suggest contributing to The Wounded Warrior project, Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.