Joseph O'Beirne Milner

Dr. Milner was my inspiration to be the best teacher I could be for over twenty years. Each year as I began working with a new group of students I would think of him and teach the methods O learned from him over and over. So many children have succeeded in reading and writing due to his influence on me as a teacher. He was also such a gentle, yet greatly tumorous man, whose smile and laughter was infectious. What a legend! He will live on through the great teachings he´s inspired for many...

Dr. Milner was truly the reason I became the kind of teacher I was and how I approached teaching English to my elementary and gifted Ed students for over twenty years. Because of Dr. Milner, I was motivated to teach the students the way I was taught by him. Thank you for these many many incredible years, and lives, he has touched, especially mine.

I am so sorry I am only just now learning about Joe's passing. I first got to know Joe in 1999 when I was a student in the MTF Program at Wake Forest. I'd never met another person quite like him. He taught me more about teaching English than anyone else I've ever met, but perhaps more importantly, he taught me so much about what it means to be a good human. When I arrived to NC without any furniture, Joe generously invited me over to his house to pick out a few choice items for my apartment...

Although it is nearly a year since Dr. Milner left us, I feel I want to write to affirm the sentiments of so many others who like myself, held Joe in such high regard. Joe Milner was by far the kindest and most generous man I´ve ever known. His zest for learning was inspiring and contagious but his wit and humor were what always put me at ease. As his student, I marveled at his capacity to ask the kind of questions that spurred robust discussions and pushed his students well beyond the text...

Dr. Milner was a wonderful professor, mentor, and person. I am so thankful to have had him in my life as a young educator. What a wonderful legacy he leaves: the legions of teachers he shaped impacting students across the world. May his memory be a blessing to his loved ones.

I had the pleasure to work as Dr. Milner's Graduate Assistant back in 1995, and I learned so much from him, not just about education and how to be a good teacher, but about patience, kindness, wisdom, and wit. Without this opportunity, I never would have had the means to attend Wake Forest and earn my degree, something that truly changed my life. My sincerest condolences go out to Dr. Milner's family and friends; please know that his influence is so incredibly far-reaching and continues in...

Though I never met him, Joe has clearly left an indelible mark on so many and contributed so much to the field of education, which is near and dear to me and to my family (all teachers). He was admired and loved by many and after reading about him here, I can see his humor and passion for education shining through in his son, Jonathan, who is a friend.

I am reflexively saddened to learn of Joe's passing. He will remain a sage who brought love, enlightenment, to the many who were fortunate to share time with him. My condolences to Lucy, the boys, and the extended generations of new Milners.

Dr. Milner saw me for what I had the potential to be as an educator. Being accepted to Wake by Dr. Milner who called me personally to say something that made me trust he saw me for who I was, to welcome me into the Master Fellows Program, was what set my current 20-yr and continuing journey into education. I am forever grateful, and though we had lost touch over the years, I hope he (and Lucy and family) knows what an incredible influence he had on me. Rest in peace, Joe and Joey alike... you...