Eileen S. Gilchrist, assistant professor of communication and journalism at the University of Wyoming, speaks during a memorial service for Dr. Frank Millar in the Union Ballroom Thursday afternoon. (Photo: Seneca Riggins)
Friends and family called him “Buster.” When he was born, the nurses remarked that he was the largest newborn they had ever seen and the nickname stuck. At the age of 66, and right after being diagnosed with cancer, “Buster” was still larger-than-life, climbing the Grand Teton mountain range and embracing his spirituality—a belief he called “Cheyenne Buddhism.”
Frank Millar, a UW professor of communication, was born in 1944 in South Bend, Ind. The younger of two sons, Frank Millar quickly grew to love three things: sports, the outdoors and learning.
He began playing football at a very young age and continued playing while attending Central High School in South Bend. He lettered as a guard and linebacker for the Bears’ football team. Later in life, his older brother, Dan Millar, always a strong influence and mentor to Frank Millar, taught him to play golf. The sport became something of a ritual for the two and they would play together frequently.
“I knew him before he was born,” Dan Millar said, pausing to reminisce and hold back a tear. Dan Millar said he remembers laying his hand on his pregnant mother’s stomach to feel Frank Millar moving around. “He was one of the smartest guys I ever knew,” Dan Millar said.
Doctor Frank Millar died Jan.11, 2012. He worked at the University of Wyoming as a professor of communication for 27 years. His wife, his two children and many of his friends survive him,
Six years older than his brother, Dan Millar said he recalls a time when he was 12 that the two boys’ parents left the house one night to go out on a date. Dan Millar asked them if he could take Frank Millar to see a movie; his parents said yes. So the two boys left the house, took a bus to the movie theater and bought tickets for “The Thing from Another World.”
The first time The Thing reaches its hand out toward the audience, Dan Millar said the two boys screamed and promptly took the next bus ride back home. They spent the rest of the night in their bunk bed with baseball bats beside them Dan Millar said.
The shared connection the two brothers had is still evident when Dan Millar talks about Frank Millar today. Not only was Dan Millar a mentor to his brother, he also perhaps had the largest influence on Frank Millar’s later career choice as a communication professor.
Frank Millar’s father was a business executive. After Frank Millar graduated Wabash College with a degree in psychology, he decided to follow his father’s footsteps and become a salesman.
Dan Millar was already working in the communication field, and, after Frank Millar expressed his distaste for sales, Dan Millar introduced him to communication. Frank Millar later left his job and attained a doctorate of communication from Michigan State University.
Dr. Millar’s tenure at UW began after his second wife obtained a research grant in Utah, Dan Millar said. Frank Millar wanted to be closer to her so he took a one-year position teaching at UW. However, the university liked him so much that they offered to let him stay, Dan Millar said.
Frank Millar’s family was quite surprised at first that he would leave Indiana for Wyoming. Dr. Millar loved Wyoming, in part because it offered him the outdoor activities that he enjoyed so much.
Eileen Gilchrist, UW professor of communication and Dr. Millar’s associate, said: “Frank was so dedicated to his students and his career, and I would argue perhaps more than anybody else in our department. So it made me want to be more dedicated.”
In 2007, Frank Millar served as part of an interview panel for a position that Gilchrist applied for, she said. At first, Gilchrist said she was a bit intimidated because she had heard how intellectually demanding Frank Millar could be. But the two quickly became friends, and Frank Millar helped Gilchrist finish her dissertation, Gilchrist said.
Another aspect of Dr. Millar, one that he did not share as much during his lectures, was his deep commitment to his children, Frank M. Millar and Jennifer Millar Shuck. Frank M. Millar said his father placed a lot of emphasis on education for his children. Frank Millar managed to pay for his son’s entire tuition at the University of Notre Dame and Frank M. Millar graduated with no student debt, Frank M. Millar said.
After his son’s graduation, Frank Millar took him on a trip to Europe where the two spent time visiting places such as Yugoslavia. One of Frank M. Millar’s best memories of the trip was when the two saw Notre Dame play a basketball game in Yugoslavia, he said.
Frank M. Millar said he and his father would frequently play sports together, including racquetball. That is, until Frank M. Millar won and his father got upset, he said.
As a professor, Dr. Millar’s students may remember him for the brightly colored sweaters that he wore to class almost every day. Or they may remember his keen ability to pick apart anything he saw as flawed logic. Dr. Millar constantly sought to further his students’ knowledge of a subject and pushed them to do their absolute best.
Gilchrist said Frank Millar believed in an afterlife. During his last weeks, Gilchrist said Frank Millar never asked for favors for himself–only others–and especially his wife, Vanessa. And, as many of his students know, Dr. Millar was absolutely not afraid of death.
