WALTER MILLER Obituary

MILLER--Walter James, Professor Emeritus at New York University, died on June 20th at 92. Miller was a poet, literary critic, and educator. His friendships were eclectic and he will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife Mary Hume; five children from previous marriages; and six grandchildren. For more information visit New York Times on-line death notices.

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Published by New York Times on Jun. 24, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for WALTER MILLER

13 Entries

Geoffrey Fox

June 17, 2023

Of course I remember Walter, frequently. He is still a great encouragement and also a model in my writing career. And a very dear friend. He lived the life he chose, and lived it fully.

Roberta Lawrence

June 17, 2022

I still think of Walter often and read over his notes on my manuscripts with great appreciation. I still haven´t finished that novel, but when I do, Walter will be in the dedication along with my late husband. RIP, Walter. I wish we had had more time together.

February 27, 2011

February 27, 2011
I still expect to see an email from Uncle Walter..I miss him so very much. He touched my life so deeply. Cheers, Unc! Lori

Steven Kunes

January 29, 2011

Walter James Miller was my literature professor and mentor when I attended NYU in the 70s. His passion for literature ignited a spark in me that led to my becoming a professional writer. I don't know whether to love him or hate him for that but I think the answer is to love him! Nobody that I ever met knew more about literature than Professor Miller and I consider myself blessed to have had him in my life. Bravo, Walter...bravo!!!

Roberta Lawrence

December 18, 2010

I am very saddened to learn of Walter's passing. He was my first fiction teacher, an amazing mentor and magical human being. Angels were watching over me when I signed up for his class at NYC. He was a perceptive and senstive mentor and a musician as well. He heard the lyricism in my prose. I was proud of that -- it was a tribute to my late husband whose lyrical trumpet playing and soaring solos seemed to have influenced the shape of my thoughts and sentences -- at least the ones we liked best. Walter knew when to let the small stuff go. I still here him saying "Don't worry about commas, there are editors for that. Just write." After meeting a colleague of his at a writing residency in 2008, I attempted to get in touch with him via his NYC e-mail but did not hear back. The work I started in his class continues. I am so sorry I did not complete the novel in Walter's lifetime, but from having been graced with his wise words and subtle teaching my life is better, richer, and it took a different course. Walter validated me as a writer and as a struggling artist trying to find an authentic voice and confidence.
My thoughts are with you Mary, I remember how much you two adored each other and it was a delight to witness. He had a wonderful, whimsical, and creative life and will not be forgotten by those of us he touched and taught.
xoxo

Geoffrey Fox

October 5, 2010

He was my friend and mentor. I am glad that he died well, productive to the end.

August 11, 2010

I am so sad to learn of his passing.
Anna Eskenazi Bush, Olean, NY

Lindsey Ferrentino

August 8, 2010

I contacted Walter when I was still in high school... After discovering that I was related to the poet Chester Kallman, I became obsessed with researching his life and saw Walter's name in Harold Norse's memoirs. Out of pure curiosity, I googled him and sent an email. Walter responded with such warmth and openness. He wrote to me about Chester Kallman, WH Auden, and NYU (where I'd just been accepted). He even let me ask him questions over the phone, where I recorded our interview. But what he did most importantly was sent me a copy of his book. I couldn't believe that, while still in high school, I was corresponding with a REAL POET. I proudly showed off my book to my English teacher and made her read the poem Walter wrote on my relative, "Arabesques around Pain." To this day, his insight on Chester is the most touching and valuable I've read. He was the first person to respond to my query. He made me believe that research and contacting these writers, could actually produce results and that communicating with artists was possible. All of this was before I'd even graduated high school and moved to NY. Before I had any idea of what I wanted to do with this research.

He all did this as a personal, rather than academic favor and I can never thank him enough for helping define some of my own family history. And define myself as a person. And writer. And NYU student. He took my questions seriously, gave me all of the time in the world, and didn't question the fact that I was seventeen at the time of our first email.

Throughout my years at NYU and after, Walter kept in touch, sending articles and occasional check-ins with the status of my projects, my plays, etc. His graciousness was something that I wish more professors had adopted.

I'm sure Walter's words will continue to be read and enjoyed.

Here is Walter receiving an award for his Verne scholarship at the Library of Congress in 2004.

Brian Taves

June 28, 2010

It is seldom given to us to actually meet someone whose name we have long looked up to, but I had that pleasure during a trip east in 1990. Walter's 1965 edition of 20,000 Leagues had been responsible for launching my fascination with Jules Verne.

NYU gave me his phone number, and we had lunch the next day. I was fortunate to be able to count him as a friend for the next 20 years. His personal kindness was no less meaningful than his intellectual dynamism.

My only wish was that he had lived to know that the North American Jules Verne Society had already decided to dedicate to him our third volume in the Palik Series of previously untranslated Verne stories, The Count of Chanteleine. And we are about to begin checking page proofs of the first volume, for which Walter provided an introduction.

So his legacy, his inspiration, and his scholarship live on.

Thank you, Walter, for all that you gave of yourself to so many; you will be deeply missed.

June 27, 2010

Today North America teems with dedicated Vernians, and an amazing number of us cite the same two childhood inspirations: Disney's 1954 film of 20,000 Leagues . . . and Walter Miller's early writings on Jules Verne. These days scores of new English translations and editions are available of the Frenchman's protean novels . . . all down-line from Walter's pioneering scholarship. He was our founding father . . . alas, now our patron saint.

Frederick Paul Walter, Albuquerque.

Jane Heil

June 26, 2010

He was a wonderful English teacher.

Tad Davis

June 24, 2010

My sympathies to his family. His introduction to his 1965 translation of "20,000 Leagues under the Sea" was a revelation to me (a ninth-grader at the time). I've followed his other Verne work with interest since: he always wrote clearly, energetically, and without condescension. He will be greatly missed.

Noel Gibilaro

June 24, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

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