Notre Dame Law School custodian Thomas J. Miller, missing since November, has been found dead in Michigan, his body pulled from the St. Joseph River just north of the state line yesterday. “Officials didn’t find any signs of foul play, and don’t know how he got in the river,” according to WSBT. (Hat tip: Sergio.) The South Bend Tribune reports that Miller’s body was “caught up in tree limbs near the river bank.” WNDU adds: “Obviously this is not the news the Miller family wanted to hear, but it does bring some closure to all of the questions they’ve had since he went missing. Miller’s mother says her son was being treated for depression and had been through some ups and downs in the last year.” A watch found on Mr. Miller’s wrist stopped working on November 9, two days after he was reported missing. Miller was 48, and is survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother.
Talking with one of his fellow janitors now. Apparently, Notre Dame is behaving rather callously about the whole thing. It’s not sitting very well with any of them that his death was announced as a fleeting reference, rather than with any sort of reverence.
I can understand why ND feels that way. It turns out that the search crews were looking for the body of a South Bend woman that went missing while walking her dog a few months ago, and they just happened to stumble across Mr. Miller’s body. On the 6pm news, the fact that it wasn’t the woman’s body seemed like something of a disappointment, and very little was said about Mr. Miller, his background, or his family, and I don’t think any expressions of sympathy or condolence were offered. He was just sort of shoved aside as “the search for the woman continues…”
Notre Dame needs to pay proper Respects to Mr. Miller, who doubtless served the University Community to the best of his abilities, no less than has any Professor, Priest, or Philanthropist. / May he Rest in the Peace of God’s eternal Loving care.
Tom was my brother, I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who feels this way. Tom was a kind and gentle man, although troubled in the last few years. I feel that this would have gotten more attention if he was a woman, dog or anyone other than a custodian. He was my little brother and was loved by his family very much.
Thanks to all who wrote.
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March 28th, 2007 at 7:26:35 pm
I hate the word closure…anyone else?
March 28th, 2007 at 9:59:22 pm
with a passion
March 28th, 2007 at 11:07:50 pm
Talking with one of his fellow janitors now. Apparently, Notre Dame is behaving rather callously about the whole thing. It’s not sitting very well with any of them that his death was announced as a fleeting reference, rather than with any sort of reverence.
March 28th, 2007 at 11:18:34 pm
How did they announce it? I found out via an e-mail tip from a classmate, haven’t heard anything official from the university (unless I missed it).
March 29th, 2007 at 2:03:11 am
I can understand why ND feels that way. It turns out that the search crews were looking for the body of a South Bend woman that went missing while walking her dog a few months ago, and they just happened to stumble across Mr. Miller’s body. On the 6pm news, the fact that it wasn’t the woman’s body seemed like something of a disappointment, and very little was said about Mr. Miller, his background, or his family, and I don’t think any expressions of sympathy or condolence were offered. He was just sort of shoved aside as “the search for the woman continues…”
March 29th, 2007 at 2:48:03 am
Notre Dame needs to pay proper Respects to Mr. Miller, who doubtless served the University Community to the best of his abilities, no less than has any Professor, Priest, or Philanthropist. / May he Rest in the Peace of God’s eternal Loving care.
March 29th, 2007 at 12:06:26 pm
David K.– Worse than closure I really hate the “everything happens for a reason”. May that family find peace somehow in such a tragic thing.
April 17th, 2007 at 10:53:08 pm
Tom was my brother, I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who feels this way. Tom was a kind and gentle man, although troubled in the last few years. I feel that this would have gotten more attention if he was a woman, dog or anyone other than a custodian. He was my little brother and was loved by his family very much.
Thanks to all who wrote.