John Miller joined the Committee of the Medical Missionary Association in October 1967 when he was only 34 years old and must have been its youngest member, however this did not deter him from being fully committed to the work. Dr Harry Bennett, who was the General Secretary at the time, used to tell of the hours that John spent tramping the streets with him and Isobel when they were looking for a property for the MMA to purchase in which to combine the hostels in Bedford Place and Canonbury.
I first met John at the Annual Meeting of the MMA in June 1975 when I had been appointed to succeed Dr Bennett as General Secretary. He was a tower of strength to both Hope and myself and we were happy when he was appointed Chairman of the Committee in April 1977. He guided the Committee through the Association's Centenary celebrations, an event that culminated in a service at All Souls Church, Langham Place. There was also times of stress and he was not afraid to make and stand by difficult decisions including the closure of Maxwell House. He had a good rapport with the students in the hostel but at the same time gave unstinting support to us as wardens. He was always willing to find time to discuss both policy and problems and one was happy to know that one could always rely on John's wisdom and support.
Increasing pressure from the practice and the needs of the family made it inevitable that one day he would have to resign as Chairman as he did in October 1984. However, he was able to remain on the committee and to continue to support the MMA until October 1987 when plans were already far advanced to move the hostel to a freehold property in Camden Road - a Herculean task!
John served the Association well for a period of 20 years during which time he saw many changes. My wife and I were personally grateful for all the interest and care he gave to MMA. John was one of those very busy people who, when with you gave the impression that your problems were the most important ones to be solved and that he had all the time in the world to help you with them.
We miss John, whom we got to know first through the MMA and became our GP and personal friend.
On behalf of the MMA, we offer our condolences to Margaret and the family and thank them for sharing John with us.
Peter F. Green
I first met John at the Annual Meeting of the MMA in June 1975 when I had been appointed to succeed Dr Bennett as General Secretary. He was a tower of strength to both Hope and myself and we were happy when he was appointed Chairman of the Committee in April 1977. He guided the Committee through the Association's Centenary celebrations, an event that culminated in a service at All Souls Church, Langham Place. There was also times of stress and he was not afraid to make and stand by difficult decisions including the closure of Maxwell House. He had a good rapport with the students in the hostel but at the same time gave unstinting support to us as wardens. He was always willing to find time to discuss both policy and problems and one was happy to know that one could always rely on John's wisdom and support.
Increasing pressure from the practice and the needs of the family made it inevitable that one day he would have to resign as Chairman as he did in October 1984. However, he was able to remain on the committee and to continue to support the MMA until October 1987 when plans were already far advanced to move the hostel to a freehold property in Camden Road - a Herculean task!
John served the Association well for a period of 20 years during which time he saw many changes. My wife and I were personally grateful for all the interest and care he gave to MMA. John was one of those very busy people who, when with you gave the impression that your problems were the most important ones to be solved and that he had all the time in the world to help you with them.
We miss John, whom we got to know first through the MMA and became our GP and personal friend.
On behalf of the MMA, we offer our condolences to Margaret and the family and thank them for sharing John with us.
Peter F. Green
