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Roger Milliken Obituary
The Spartanburg icon ran Milliken & Co. for almost 60 years, as president from 1947-83, chairman and CEO from 1983-2003, and chairman from 2003 until his death.
He was a fixture on Forbes magazine's list of richest Americans.
"We are in a profound state of sadness," said Milliken CEO Joe Salley.
"We will miss him greatly."
Milliken, born Oct. 24, 1915, was married to the late Justine Van Rensselaer Hooper. They are survived by five children and nine grandchildren.
"Daddy lived a rewarding ninety-five years," his children said in a news release. "We are grateful, as was he, for the friendship and support from so many that enabled him to live a full, productive, creative, and passionate life. He enjoyed every minute of it."
Milliken & Co., founded in 1865 and headquartered in Spartanburg, manufactures technical and industrial materials, chemicals and floor coverings.
A bitter foe of unions, Milliken ran an international company but opposed the North American Free Trade Act as unfair to U.S. workers.
A staunch Republican, Milliken helped bankroll the 1992 effort of Pat Buchanan to unseat incumbent President George H.W. Bush. Milliken also has spent millions modernizing his family's textile plants and millions more planting trees, a private passion.
In 1999, the industry's trade publication "Textile World" selected him as the textile industry's Leader of the Century. He was also an inaugural inductee to the American Textile Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Milliken established the Noble Tree Foundation to encourage the planting of enduring and beautiful trees, particularly in rundown or overlooked corners of the Greenville-Spartanburg area and at traffic interchanges. In 2004, Milliken received the Frederick Law Olmsted Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
With his help, the entire Wofford College campus was declared a National Arboretum, later named for him. The science center at the Spartanburg college also sports his name.
He was the only chairman of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Commission from its inception in 1959 until his death, and he was instrumental in the founding of Spartanburg Day School in 1957.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Milliken
76 Entries
Mrs. Bertrand Taylor
May 5, 2021
He was a wonderful and considerate person and contributed so much to our country, industry and the world during his lifetime. I knew him from visits and meetings he attended at the Institute of Textile Technology in Charlottesville, Va. where he treated everyone else with kindness and friendship. He was an icon.
joy Barret
March 30, 2011
I met Mr. Milliken in 1986 at a National Cotton Council Meeting at Disney World. We connected to join our efforts at educating consumers of the importance of supporting american industry that we were losing to foreign made. Our group of Mississippi delta women, chaired at the time by me,worked tirelessly for over 20 years in this effort to raise awareness of the danger in losing our industries, namely the cotton domestic market. Mr. Millican contributed $40,000 to our women's budget, which we used for a project at the Dallas Clothing Market, promoting american made to retailers and clothing companies. I will always remember our visit with him, his generosity to our program, and most especially what a fine american he was. He was very special. Joy Barret
Ted Regan
March 17, 2011
May the best of times be remembered always, Swiftly the passing, forever the love.
Kathleen Collins
February 14, 2011
I will always have a special place in my heart for Mr. Milliken. He was so involved in his work/hobby, knowing everything that was going on and even knew who I was, an outside consultant for the company. He made me feel like I was an important part to the success of the company and treated me like I was a part of the Milliken family. I will always have the utmost respect for this incrediable, giving man. God bless him and his family. With love,
Kathleen Collins
Carol Locher-Ransone
February 2, 2011
My first job out of Furman University in '76 was with Milliken and Company in the Retail Fashion Fabrics Division. As one of a handful of female "MOPs" (Management Orientation Program Trainees), I learned a great deal in a very short time. Mr. Milliken's drive and determination served to develop state of the art technology and leverage what he saw as an untapped talented resource of minorities and women. I was proud to be part of that team. I am sure that Mr. Milliken will be missed tremendously by his family and friends.
David R. Eshleman
January 23, 2011
Mr. Milliken's hosted quality circle competition events in a specially designed conference room at headquarters. Each participant would vote on the best team presentation, which included suppliers and employees. He ran the proceedings with vigor. I was fortunate to attend one such session where our company, a Cleveland OH industrial distributor, was asked to participate with a Milliken team. It was 1993 and Mr. Milliken was 78! I was totally amazed at his incredible strength of mind, his understanding leadership and enthusiasm at his age. Such an incredible inspiration it was to managers and employees alike. For me, it was an unforgettable experience to have been fortunate to see him in action and meet with him. South Carolina has been blessed to have had two great champions of innovation and respect for American workers - Ken Iverson of Nucor Steel and Roger Milliken. Thank you Mr. Milliken and my best to your family, you were one of the truly great leaders of American manufacturing. I pray your legacy of inspiring innovation in the workforce and respect for the individual lives on.
Lynda Whitley
January 16, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Julia Fallon
January 11, 2011
He was a great man, and cared about American workers.
Melanie Taylor, RN
January 10, 2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. One day 20 years ago I cared for him in the hospital and after mentioning to him I was cold because I did not like the A/C very much he gifted me with a knit afgan that I still have and use to this day all winter long.
Judy Bard
January 10, 2011
To The Milliken Family:
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of your father. I remember when I taught him skiing in Vail and met all of you and also was his photographer at a meeting in Chicago. He was quite a man and I know he will be missed by one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Judy Bard
Jessie Thompson
January 6, 2011
To the Milliken family,I will truely miss your father dearly,Because he was more than a patient too me,He was a friend,employer,But most of all I learned a lot from him,I enjoyed every moment that we spent togeather. By being his caregiver,I was able to visit many places that I would not have been able to see, if it had not been for him.And I want the family to know, that I truely love you all , and hope someday that we will all be togeather around GODS THRONE!
Julia
January 6, 2011
I did not know Mr. Milliken personally, but admired him tremedously after reading about his efforts to rebuild his textile plant that burnt to the ground. What an inspiration to us all.
January 6, 2011
Mr. Milliken was a real trooper who loved his work and his employees. I helped to open the MIC building in 1965 and thoroughly enjoyed working at Milliken.
I have always had the ultimate respect for Mr. Milliken and want you all to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I lost my 1st husband in 1995 and my 2nd husband Nov. 28th, 2010.
May God be with you during this time of bereavement.
Blessings and Peace,
Jayne Marsh
SMC
Georgianna Adams
January 6, 2011
My Father Folger Adams worked for Mr. Roger Milliken for 60 years , From Anderson SC , to Spartanburg SC were Mr. Roger Milliken move my family from Anderson S C to Spartanburg S C. I also received a scholarship from Mr. Milliken & Company. With our Deepest Condolences the Adams Family send to Roger Milliken Family.
January 4, 2011
Mr. Milliken was the most humble man I have ever met.
Matt Walsh
January 4, 2011
On behalf of LaGrange Academy, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Milliken's family.
Mr. Milliken was a long-time supporter of our school and the many Milliken families who have been part of LaGrange Academy over the years.
Matt Walsh
Headmaster
LaGrange Academy
LaGrange, GA 30240
January 4, 2011
Wolfgang K Otto, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Mr. Milliken was one of the truly great men one meets rarely if ever throughout ones life. My sincere condolences to his family!
Mr. Milliken will also be greatly missed by everybody and any undertaking he was associated with.
I worked for Milliken Research for 29 years until my retirement in 1993.
Joining Milliken was the best decision regarding my working life I ever made. What a great organization to work for! The company reflected Mr. Milliken’s leadership, his enthusiasm for novel technologies, his support of his associates and his personal kindness and many more of his outstanding characteristics.
I remember my years at Milliken and the occasional contacts I had with Mr. Milliken with gratitude and fondness.
January 4, 2011
I worked for MIlliken Company for approx. 20 years (50's - 70's) & found Mr. Millken to be an extremely brilliant man who knew how to make decisions & manage his business. He was a hard worker & maintained
his business in such a way that made his employees proud . I often thought that he would swing at a "nat" & an elephant with the same velocity --this is one thing that set him apart. Nothing could get past him. I appreciate what he did for me and my family. I want to offer my sympathy to the family in the loss of your dad.
Jim Wilson--Anderson, SC
Linda Jewell
January 4, 2011
Mr. Milliken was an energetic, dynamic gentleman. I was so fortunate to have met him many times during my years at Milliken. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Karil L. Kochenderfer,
January 4, 2011
Mr Milliken always was inspiring, energizing colleagues and me, to push harder, think more innovatively and he always matched his words with actions. Our politics were diametrically and dramatically different, yet our principles and faith were not. A stoic figure, a true industry and community leader is gone. Rest in peace.
T Blanton
January 3, 2011
My prayers go out to your family and friends in this time of need. Mr. Milliken was indeed a great businessman and it was an honor to work for his company. His persistance to keep jobs in our community was a blessing to my family as well as many more associates that I worked with.
Kevin Patterson
January 3, 2011
Kevin M Patterson Spartanburg SC
Newell Woodworth
January 3, 2011
I met Roger Millken 4 months after his fathers death.John Brooks(eventully CEO Celanese) had a sales meeting for the branch office salesmen and Roger was asked to speak to the group.
He was most uncomfortable and John had to help him thru it.
I watched him grow from then to a truly outstanding leader that he worked so hard to be.
A truly outstanding man It was a great privilege to be associated with him. Newell Woodworth
LINDA GARNER
January 3, 2011
SO SORRY,WILL BE KEEPING THE FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS.THANKS FOR ALL YOU DID TO KEEP YOUR TEXTILE PLANTS GOING THROUGH THE YEARS.
Trudy Green
January 3, 2011
I'm so sorry for your loss. I've worked at Milliken for 10 years. Mr Milliken was always very kind to me. He'll be greatly missed. Your all in my thoughts and prayers ....
Denise Sprouse-Watts
January 3, 2011
I worked for Milliken and Co. from 1981-1995 and it was a great company to work for. Mr. Milliken was a great businessman and leader. He always treated his employees fairly and with respect.You will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to his family at this diffucult time.
Hugh Claytor
January 3, 2011
It was a pleasure to work for Mr. Milliken, both as an employee of his company and later in life as a consultant. He will always hold a fond place in my memory and will be missed. God bless and comfort his family.
Wayne Durham
January 3, 2011
It was a great pleasure to work for the company and the man. My life was shaped there by the work and the people.
January 3, 2011
3 January 2011
I had the great priviledge of working with Mr. Milliken and the Milliken Family almost from the day I was hired at Wilmington Trust Company until my retirement 41 years later. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been associated Mr. Milliken all those years. He was a great leader and a great teacher, and I learned so much from him. He loved his country, had clear vision, and the traits of those who, like himself, made this country great. Simply said, he got things done and did not waiver from his principals.
I have had, and always will have, the greatest respect for Roger Milliken. His passing is a loss not only to his family, but also to all of us. Yes - big shoes to fill, but I know that his associates and his Family will always work towards the greater good.
Sandy Smith - Fairhope, Alabama
Robert Avery
January 3, 2011
My heartfelt prayers go out to the family of Mr. Milliken during this sad ttime. I worked for Callaway and then for Mr. Milliken when he purchased the plant in Manchester, GA. When that plant closed I transfered to the Pine Mountain Plant. I retired with 47 years.
Mike Dixon
January 3, 2011
My sympathy to your family. Mr. Milikens death is a great loss to our community. I appreciate all he did for Spartanburg and I am especially thankful for the times he included me in political events. He was a great Patriot.
Ed Wiedemann
January 3, 2011
Mr. Milliken was a true gentleman and a great visionary and will be greatly missed. He helped improve the lives of not only the people that worked for him but also most South Carolinians as well. I worked for for Mr. Milliken for 32 years and know first hand that he ran his company with the highest degree of ethical standards and truly cared about his associates wellfare. South Carolina and the nation have lost a great man and patriot.
Teresa Lawson
January 3, 2011
Mr.Milliken will be greatly missed by many people.He has done so much for this world. Wish more people were like him. I send each family member my prayers and thoughts. May God give each of you strength, his wisdom to carry on Mr.Millikens works. My thoughts will always be of him as i tread the grounds of the beautiful Milliken he allowed everyone to enjoy and feeding the ducks.God bless and comfort you and give you "PEACE".Accept my condolences
January 3, 2011
I had the privilege of working in the Nita Milliken Library at SDS as librarian for 36 years.I frequently saw your father there and he was a wonderful, generous man.He did so much for our town and SDS.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Reeves "Reecie" Smith Wilkes
Maria Lynn
January 3, 2011
I want to thank the Milliken family for everything you have done for our area of Spartanburg/Greenville and the world. Mr. Milliken will be greatly missed. Please accept my condolences.
Maria Lynn
Ernie Martin
January 3, 2011
After being discharged from the Navy, in the 70's, I had the priviledge to work at 3 Milliken divisions. Milliken is a great company, because of Roger Milliken. He expected a lot of his employees, but paid us well. I, and a lot of other people owe their success to the opportunity provided by Roger Milliken. May God bless his family. He will be remembered, respected and honored, by everyone he touched.
John Dodd, Helms Center President
January 3, 2011
The Board of Directors and the staff of the Jesse Helms Center note with sadness the passing on December 30, 2010, of Board member and longtime friend Roger Milliken.
Since our earliest years Mr. Milliken has provided wise counsel for the development of our programs and our focus on giving young people a better understanding of what Senator Helms called “the miracle of America,” our free enterprise system.
Mr. Milliken embodied all that is good about that system, matching his generous involvement in his community and a host of causes that came to his attention with his extraordinary business success. His example is one that we are proud to share with students. These teens who may never have heard about the entrepreneurs who were the great philanthropists in our nation’s history need to see that their gifts reveal the fundamental difference of our American free enterprise system. Our great business leaders like Mr. Milliken are not given to greed.
They use their freedom to make a profit by investing in the good of others. Mr.
The Jesse Helms Center is grateful for its long association with Mr. Milliken and joins with Dorothy Helms in expressing our sympathy to his family on their loss.
J L
January 3, 2011
On behalf of my dad and long time Milliken employee, Jack Lynch, we express our condolences to your family.
Mary Ann Wallace-Kelly
January 3, 2011
To The Milliken Family:
Deepest Sympathy.
May the Eternal Light forever shine upon Mr. Roger Milliken soul. My friend in Spartanburg was employed in the home of the Milliken family, Mrs. Ethel.
Dana Carpenter
January 3, 2011
For as long as I can remember I have heard of Milliken and Company… My Mother has been with the company for 38 years and I worked for Milliken for almost 13 years. It is a good company to work for, Mr. Milliken did do things that he did not have to for his employees. He built a Education Center, he made sure that his plants were as safe as could be by becoming a Star Site and when Kex I Plant lost their orders he went and found a new customer for the plant. Mr. Milliken worked hard to build a successful business where you could take pride in the work that you did. It is a sad time for a lot of people and he will truly be missed.
Deb Williams
January 2, 2011
Please accept our sincere sympathy in the loss of Mr. Milliken.
Textrol Laboratories, Inc.
Rebecca Gilbert
January 2, 2011
My sincerest condolences to the entire Milliken family. I worked for Mr. Milliken in the late 90's. It was my first job straight from graduate school. Everything that I have used during the rest of my career, I learned from Mr. Milliken and the company he built: treat people fairly and with respect, do good work for your community and quality is essential.
I am grateful that I had the chance to know Mr. Milliken and for the impact he had in my life.
I hold your entire family in my thoughts and prayers.
gail stitcher
January 2, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
jacky dietrich
January 2, 2011
my most sinceres condoleances to the family,A great friend departed.
January 2, 2011
My prayers are with Milliken family. My late husband worked for Milliken Chemicals for 17 years. Milliken company was very kind to me and my family in the death of my husband Mike Miller.
Sally Miller
Larry Jackson
January 2, 2011
A Great Leader who provided a future for many generations in South Carolina. My condolences to the family.
Sheila Brewer
January 2, 2011
My condolences go out to the Milliken family. I have worked for Milliken for many years and he is the reason for me making it in this world today with having a steady job to raise my family! He is gonna be missed dearly!
Erwin Williams
January 2, 2011
I am deeply sadden on the passing of a giant and humanitarian, Roger Milliken. My condolences to the entire Milliken family. Thanks for having experienced a moment or two in his company. He will be missed.
Robert Mc clellan
January 2, 2011
My condolences to the entire Milliken family. My whole family worked for Mr. Milliken for many years. I myself for 23. His vision and leadership made this company the greatest textile company ever. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
Shirley Fuller
January 2, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Cal Wray
January 2, 2011
My condolences to Jake and his family.
Cal(Buzz)Wray-Kappa Sigma
Wolfgang Stoeckl
January 2, 2011
I first met Roger Milliken in 1969 when I represented Karl Mayer Textile Machinery in Greensboro, NC. He became quickly our largest Customer and I did spend so much time in South Carolina that I subsequently moved to Spartanburg. Roger Milliken was a tough but very fair Businessman and got involved in every little detail in regards to machinery. When dealing with Roger Milliken, one had to be prepared and ready for any and all questions and concerns and he would not let you get away with a "maybe". Roger Milliken has made Spartanburg what it is today and we will be forever greatful.
My condolences to his Family and friends.
Mary Watts
January 2, 2011
My condolences to Mr. Milliken's family. I have worked for Milliken & Company 38 years. I am so very sad that our great leader has died. He was a great man and will be greatly missed.
January 1, 2011
Mr. Milliken opened the doors for many young prople and gave them the opportunity to move forward and be successful in business and life. He will be missed. Barbara Heffernan
dixie drewery
January 1, 2011
a great man on earth, he will be a great angel, sorry for your familys loss, a loss for us all.
MICHAEL PETERS
January 1, 2011
ROGER MILLIKEN GAVE THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.
HE WAS A GIANT IN ALL THAT HE DID : BUSINESS, PHILANTHROPY ,AND COMMUNITY CULTURAL AND AESTHETIC ENRICHMENT.
ON A VISIT TO MARKS & SPENCER WITH MR. MILLIKEN IN THE LATE EIGHTIES,THEIR CHAIRMAN TURNED TO ME AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR SEVERAL DAY VISIT, REPLETE WITH MEETING AFTER MEETING AND SAID " MIKE, MR. MILLIKEN IS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE MAN I HAVE EVER MET ".
HE WAS ALL OF THAT TO SO MANY OF US.
MIKE PETERS
MILLIKEN & CO. 1959 - 2002
January 1, 2011
Roger Milliken has always been a part of our family's life. This is a great loss. He was bigger than life. Sending our condolences. The Christman family
January 1, 2011
Our sympathy to the family of Mr. Milliken.
Susan and Ross McConnell, John's Island Florida
Michael Lock
December 31, 2010
Heartfelt condolences to the family of Roger Milliken.
I shall be for ever grateful for the chance to cross the Atlantic and work for his wonderful company for 43 years.
Robert Iannuzzi
December 31, 2010
Sorry, for the lose of a good man.Thank you for being a great leader and role model for us at Milliken & CO.
Charlie Hadaway
December 31, 2010
My sympathy to the family of Roger Milliken. Mr. Milliken was a loyal supporter of Wofford College and the Spartanburg Day School, where in both his leadership has allowed many students to make significant contributions to society. As a graduate of both schools I have seen how his dedication to excellence enriched many lives.
Renee Davis
December 31, 2010
My sympathy goes out to the Milliken family. I worked for Milliken for over 10 years. I always was honored with a 4 year Milliken scholarship. He was a great man in so many ways and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
December 31, 2010
My sympathy to the family of Mr Milliken. I have worked for the company for twenty years. He will be greatly missed. God bless you all.
Pat Ruff
December 31, 2010
Mr. Milliken's contributions to Spartanburg County Library system will be felt through not only his monetary contributions but his willingness to share his love of trees and landscapes with others. He served by example lending his landscape architects to the building program of our libraries when requested. The Chesnee Branch library is a good example of this sharing. Many thanks for his extraordinary leadership and vision, we will remember. My best to his family. With fondness, Pat Ruff, retired member, Board of Trustees, Spartanburg County Library System.
David Woodcock
December 31, 2010
Mr. Milliken was a longtime fellow member of the Union League Club in New York. He was forever a friend to many and for me, he was an older person who made me feel great when we met. I will always keep him in my memory as a person to try and live my life, both business and personal, the same.
David Woodcock
Flat Rock, North Carolina
Marjorie Knipp
December 31, 2010
Mr Milliken was a Great Man and a true Patriot who made this world a better place. My condolences to his family.
Janie Milthaler
December 31, 2010
The world will not be a better place without him. He will be greatly missed.
Howard Childress
December 31, 2010
My deepest condolences to the Milliken Family
I first met Mr. Milliken when I began my career with Milliken and Co. as a young man in 1964.
He was always a gentleman, an unequaled business man, and provided education,and opportunities for his employees to grow and prosper.
His contributions to our state and to Spartanburg will be missed but his legacy will always be with those who knew him or had the opportunity to work for him.
I am thankful for the opportunity he provided me to enjoy a great career with Milliken & Co. and I will miss him.
Howard Childress
December 30, 2010
As a graduate of Wofford I am indebted to "Uncle Roger's" largesse in ways even I am yet not aware. Truly a giant whose works and contributions to the greater good live on.
J R Reeder, Silver Spring MD
Kathryn Warren
December 30, 2010
I worked at Deering Milliken in the early 70's. Mr. Milliken always treated his employees with respect and acknowledgment. He was business giant, but a humble man.
December 30, 2010
I work at GSP and seeing him come through was always a highlight. No matter how busy or poor in health he was, he always took time to say hello. He never knew my name, but he still felt like my friend. We'll miss you.
Walter Knox
December 30, 2010
He touched our lives everyday. He will be missed.
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