Zane Miller Obituary

ZANE MILLER

PENSACOLA — Dr. Zane L. Miller, 81, passed away on March 15, 2016, in Pensacola, Florida. Born May 19, 1934, to Beryl and Paul Miller. Zane's early years were spent in Lima, Ohio and Peru, Indiana where he attended public schools, participated in sports, played saxophone in his school marching bands as well as small jazz groups.

He earned a B.A and M.A from Miami University (Ohio) and a PhD. from the University of Chicago in 1966. Zane taught one year at Northwestern University, in Illinois and then accepted a position in the History Department of the University of Cincinnati where he taught for 35 years.

During his teaching career at UC, Zane published several books including Boss Cox's Cincinnati, a classic in the field of urban studies, numerous articles and co-edited three history series, the Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial History Series, University of Illinois Press, The Urban Life and Urban Landscape Series, Ohio State University Press, and the Urban Life, Landscape, and Policy Series, Temple University Press.

In 1983 he was awarded the George Reiveschel, Jr. Award for Excellence in Scholarly and Creative works, and in 1996 he was awarded the Oscar Schmidt Public Service Award. Throughout his life Zane was an observer of, as well as an active participant in American political, social and civic life. He chaired the George McGovern campaign in Hamilton County in 1972, was a co-director of the UC Center for Neighborhood and Community Studies, served on the Historic Conservation Board for the City of Cincinnati and the Historic Preservation Advisory, and was awarded several grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities. He was one of the founders and later president of the Urban History Association, an organization with 600 members worldwide. Upon retirement in 1999, he was appointed Charles Phelps Taft Professor Emeritus of American History.

At his death he was working on a new book entitled American Civic Nationalism and the City. Professor Miller and his wife, Janet, moved to Pensacola Beach after their retirements, and then to Stonebrook Village in Pace where he replaced his love of tennis for golf which he played almost daily for the rest of his life. Zane is survived by his wife, Janet, who knew him as loving best friend and intellectual companion for over 60 years.

He is also survived by two sisters and their spouses, Nicki (Erich) Lang and Sharon (John) Reiser, and brother-in-law James Smith. Other survivors include nieces and nephews, Suzanne (Roy) Smith, Richard (Ann) Smith, Curt Reiser, Julie (Jeff) Shirden, Christopher Lang, as well as several great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his nephew Courtney Lang and sister-in-law Peggy Smith.

Interment will be in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio. No services are planned.

The family would like to thank the staff of Joyce Goldenberg Hospice, Pensacola, Florida, for their loving care and compassion during the final days.

For those wishing to remember Zane, and his family, please consider a donation to the Zane L. Miller Professorship in the Department of History at the University of Cincinnati Foundation, PO Box 210367, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45221-0367, Attn. Chris Eden, Director of Development.

Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, Florida, has been entrusted with local arrangements. You may leave condolences for the family at this link: http://www.lewisfuneralhomes.net/book-of-memories/2439242/Miller-Dr-Zane/service-details.php

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Lima News from Mar. 26 to Mar. 27, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Zane Miller

5 Entries

Richard Hogan

February 5, 2017

Zane Miller was the best friend that I never met. He was the series editor for my San Diego suburbs book (Ohio State) and had been pushing me to finish my Georgia book, which only he seemed to be interested in publishing. He was an amazing critic, who would not hesitate to send me late night emails. I could almost judge the hour by the rising tide of passion and the declining attention to spelling and grammar. Now I wish I had saved them all.

His writing was excellent as well, but I knew him mostly as an editor, who seemed particularly interested in helping a Marxist sociologist to write history--a fool's errand one might think. He wanted me to write a book on what Marx had to say about urban life--aside from the "idiocy of rural life" (from the Manifesto).

My shock in learning today that Zane will not be replying to my latest email is hard to express. I can only say I am sorry to have dropped out of touch for so long. I miss you already.

April 18, 2016

Dear Janet,
I learned of Zane's passing at the recent ASEH. A former student of his gave me the sad news. I enjoyed working with Zane when I was at OSU and he was one of my series editors. What a man! He is missed. My sincere condolences,
Sandy Crooms

Michael Dover

April 9, 2016

Zane was a wonderful historian, editor and mentor to so many. Janet and family and close friends, please accept my condolences. Zane would give emerging scholars priceless advice, which not all of us have lived up to so far, but will long appreciate and remember.

Susan Grogan Faller

March 28, 2016

My sincere sympathy and prayers. Zane certainly made Cincinnati and the world a better place.

Paul Tenkotte

March 21, 2016

I will always remember Zane's brilliance and his kindness. May he rest in peace. Strength, peace thoughts and prayers are with you Janet. Paul A. Tenkotte and John Schlipp

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