Birth date: Apr 7, 1939 Death date: Dec 5, 2024
Gilbert John Millar (Jack) (85) retired Professor of History at Longwood University, Farmville, VA passed away on Thursday Dec 5, 2024. He was born on April 7, 1939, in Irvine Ayrshire, Scotland. He graduated from Southeastern Lou Read Obituary
Jack was a huge presence as I was growing up. He was my dad's best friend, so he was frequently at our house or we were at his, and we'd often see the Millar family at OBX. My favorite memory is the time he helped us move, and we were driving down Main St. in the back of a pickup and Jack was playing my sister's piano for all the delighted on lookers! Condolences to the family, especially Lydia and Peter. Your dad was larger than life! Chris Young
I found out about Dr. Millar's passing when I received the spring issue of Longwood Magazine. I was deeply saddened to hear this. I started out as a history major, but switched to English and Drama I took his western civilization course and later England before the Tudors. I struggled with his fill in the blank tests, but loved his lectures. My junior year I took the Tudor course as I was trying to get enough hours to minor in history. I was so involved with the theater that I was doing poorly in the course and was between a B and a C. I will never forget his kindness during an office visit, He said anyone who is not a major and taking this level course deserves a B. He smiled that broad smile of his and wished be all the best.
Memorial greeting at the Black Pelican restaurant in Kill Devill Hills April 5th at 4pm. Come one....come all. The cantankerous Scotsman will be watching!
Jack was a brave, bold, uncompromising Scot, a colleague, an intellectual, and wonderful friend who's memory I will treasure all my life. it was only today that I heard of his passing away. Rest In Peace.
Alexander Theroux -- March 5, 2025
I am so sorry to read this! My girlfriend and I were talking this past weekend about how much I admired Dr. Millar and his lectures at Longwood. She ran a Google search, and found this obituary. Dr. Millar was a great influence on me. He set high standards, and expectations. His critique of your work or papers could be withering, but his praise of hard work and effort was equally uplifting. It's been more than thirty years, but I can still remember his mesmerizing lectures on the Tudor or Stuart dynasties. He helped instill in me a lifelong love of history, and a sense of confidence. I live near the Outer Banks, and would really like to be there for his Celebration of Life this spring. Rest in peace, Dr. Millar. Your legacy lives on in hundreds of students you taught and developed.
I am so very sorry to see this! I had not heard, and my heart goes out to his entire family, especially to his children, Lydia and Peter. I always have fond memories when recalling most parts of my childhood, and our families being friends for so long, esp. with big sis Lyd, has been comforting to me. I always thought Dr. Millar looked like Robert Redford, lol! Rest in Peace, Dr. Miller. Please tell my daddy hello.
Eternal rest grant unto Dr. Millar, O Lord...
Killer Millar!!! A true old fashioned FIRE AND BRIMSTONE preacher-style passionate history storyteller. I loved his enthusiastic lectures.
I earned my only F on a history test from him. It was all fill-in-the-blank. There were more blanks than words on the test. I was so MAD, I even tried to get him to let is all retake it. Apparently ONE PERSON in the class passed that particular test, so NOPE, haha. I learned my lesson and studied EXTRA HARD for all his tests after that. There was no way I'd coast through any of his classes like I did for some others.
My heart goes out to his family and all who mourn. He really was a legendary history professor. Medieval Europe was one of my favourite classes ever.
Dr. Millar was one of my favorite Professors at Longwood. He taught history like he was telling a captivating story and you couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.
I remember him stopping me between classes once and telling me that I had a chance of earning an “A” in his class, and not too many people did that. The fact that he took the time to challenge and motivate me to be my best has stuck with me all these years.
My prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
I was an English major who had to take Western Civ. I struggled, but spent hours studying for the final. When I received my graded blue book, I had achieved an A-, and a note from Professor Millar that said “You earned it!” It was fifty years ago, but I still remember that special feeling of achievement.
Dr. Millar was my favorite professor at Longwood and gave me my deep, enduring love of history. He was tough but not unreasonable, only ever expecting excellence from his students. HIs unique character made his classes truly memorable and I've never forgotten him. I hope he had a fulfilling, happy life and now rests in deserved peace.
