Some impressions last a lifetime.
Danny Miller, 70, attended Iola High School two years, graduated in 1961 and remembers his experiences well. He recently recognized his love for Iola, IHS and his classmates by contributing $125,000 to the Allen County Regional Hospital’s Uniting for Excellence Campaign. He also participated in an effort that has raised $70,000 through contributions by members of the class of 1961.
Wednesday evening Miller, wife Shirley, and several of his classmates toured the hospital due to open in October.
In an often scintillating interview with the Register, Miller said he “had a ball helping raise money on behalf of our class,” including individually writing letters to more than 100 classmates.
In recognition of Miller’s individual contribution, the emergency room waiting area will be named in memory of his parents, Dick and Lillian Miller, and in honor of his wife and daughters Sarah and Aimee. The class donation will result in naming rights for a conference/dining room.
“I’m thankful we can support the hospital,” Miller said, allowing that the community supported him and his classmates when they were growing up and “now is the time to support the community” through contributions to help equip the new hospital.
Miller pointed to the practicality of the new hospital and how it was important to have a modern facility that could deliver state-of-the-art medical care.
“It’s important to people who live here,” including his brother, DeWayne Miller, he said.
IN THE 1950S, when his father was station agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Piqua, young Miller would dash across town — not much of a dash even in those days — to watch the Doodle Bug, an abbreviated passenger train, chug in on the Katy Railroad. The Katy ran north-south, the Missouri Pacific east-west.
He attended grade school at St. Martin’s in Piqua, and St. John’s Catholic School in Iola through his sophomore year.
“Then, I went to Iola High for my last two years,” making fast friends that to this day are genuinely excited when “Danny comes to town for a visit.”
“I broke my arm the summer before my senior year and didn’t get to play football,” Miller said, which turned out not all that bad.
When homecoming rolled around, he was asked to drive the convertible carrying the homecoming queen, Mary Kay Smith — today Mary Kay Heard — “and still a queen,” he said.
“Kind of like Queen Elizabeth?” Heard asked lightheartedly.
