Obituary: Frederick W. Miller - Class of 1930

Fred Miller Dies At 91
He Guided Paper's Evjue Foundation

Frederick W. Miller, 91, who for more than two decades led The Capital Times Co. and was long the guiding light behind The Evjue Foundation, the newspaper's charity, died late Monday night after a brief illness.

Born March 18, 1912, he passed away at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in the room facing the garden that had been named in honor of his late wife, Vi. He had been taken to the hospice last Friday when he began having severe breathing problems brought on by heart failure.

Mr. Miller was active at the newspaper until a few days ago, keeping office hours every morning and taking part in numerous social and civic events in the evenings. He was particularly proud of his role as treasurer of The Evjue Foundation Inc., which under his tutelage grew from a meager beginning to an institution with more than $25 million in assets that distributes more than $2 million annually to the community.

"Fred Miller was a rock of strength to us in the newsroom," said Dave Zweifel, editor of The Capital Times. "We are going to miss him tremendously."

Although he had been close to The Capital Times since 1939 when he married Violet Jane Bagley, the niece of William T. Evjue, the paper's founder, and Zillah Evjue, he didn't take an active daily role in the paper until 1978 when its second publisher, Miles McMillin, retired.

At the time, Mr. Miller had just retired himself after working as an attorney for the state of Wisconsin for more than 41 years. He was hired by the state fresh out of the UW Law School in 1936 to help set up the state's first unemployment compensation program. He worked in the division as an attorney and then later as an administrative law judge until 1977.

While he was still working with the state, Mr. Miller had been elected to The Capital Times' board of directors in 1951, and when McMillin retired in 1978, the board selected him to be the company's president and the newspaper's third publisher. He relinquished those two posts to Clayton Frink in 1993 but retained the title of chairman of the board and continued his leading role with the foundation and the William T. Evjue Charitable Trust until his death.

"Fred was a firm but gentle leader, helping The Capital Times continue in the tradition begun by Mr. Evjue," Frink said today. "His leadership allowed our company to grow and prosper and continue as a strong voice in the Madison area community."

Jerry Frautschi, a member of The Evjue Foundation board whose $100 million gift to the city inspired the Overture Center, now under construction, said Mr. Miller's death is "a great loss to Madison. He was an outstanding, wonderful supporter of the community."

Pleasant Rowland, founder of the American Girl Collection and Pleasant Co., and Frautschi's wife, said Mr. Miller was instrumental to the success of Concerts of the Square, which over its 20-year history has become a mainstay of Madison's cultural scene. Under Mr. Miller's leadership, The Evjue Foundation helped fund the event's first year.

"Its part of the fabric of the community now," said Rowland, who originally conceived the idea. "The kind of fabric Fred envisioned for the community."

Former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, who had frequent contact with Mr. Miller over the years, at civic functions as well as at The Capital Times office, said he embodied Madison's progressive tradition.

"Fred, more than anyone else, was the link back to Mr. Evjue," Soglin said. "What always struck me about Fred was when others were retired, he was as focused as ever on the political issues of the day and never wavered from his progressive roots."

Badger athlete:

Mr. Miller's physical condition always belied his age. He attributed much of that to his athleticism as a youth. A graduate of old Central High School, he was a star on the basketball team and went on to play varsity basketball at the University of Wisconsin.

As a freshman, he participated in the first basketball game ever played at the then brand-new UW Field House, lettering in the sport in 1931, 1932 and 1933. As a result, he was asked to participate in the ceremonies following the final game in the Field House when basketball moved to the new Kohl Center in 1998.

UW Athletic Director Pat Richter said Mr. Miller was a consistent supporter of UW athletics, both personally and with financial support for various programs through The Evjue Foundation.

"He was, of course, a great Badger," Richter said.

The University of Wisconsin was always special to him. Not only had he played varsity basketball, he went on to coach the freshman basketball team while he went to Law School in 1934. The year before, he had been selected to chair the UW Homecoming festivities, then the highlight of the university's social calendar.

But the school's academics were key as far as he was concerned. Like Mr. Evjue, he was enamored with the "Wisconsin Idea," that the university's boundaries were the state's and that its faculty should take part in governmental and civic affairs to benefit all Wisconsinites.

Mr. Miller became an ardent supporter of the university and was instrumental in helping it with substantial annual grants from The Evjue Foundation.

"Fred was just a wonderful citizen and a good friend of the university," said John Wiley, UW-Madison chancellor and a member of The Evjue Foundation board.

Among many examples of Mr. Miller's support of the university, Wiley said, was the establishment two years ago of the William T. Evjue Chair for the Wisconsin Idea, currently held by chemist Bassam Shakhashiri.

"He had a great life and he really influenced this town," said Andrew "Sandy" Wilcox, president of the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and another Evjue Foundation board member. "I've learned a lot from him about Madison and I consider him one of the first citizens of Madison."

Foundation builder:

The foundation, which derives its money from The Capital Times stock that William T. Evjue left in the charitable trust he established by his will, became Mr. Miller's pride and joy.

He worked overtime to make sure the foundation's assets were earning as much as possible so that more money could be contributed to the cultural, educational and civic causes directed by Mr. Evjue's will. Of the thousands of grants made by the foundation during Mr. Miller's tenure, the $3 million gift toward the construction of Monona Terrace was the one that gave him the most satisfaction.

The $3 million request came at a time when the foundation didn't have the assets it has today. But, Mr. Miller knew that nothing would have pleased the newspaper's founder more than the building of Monona Terrace, for which The Capital Times had campaigned for more than 50 years. He convinced the rest of the foundation board that it could make a $300,000 annual commitment for 10 years to give the project the jump-start it needed.

Several have credited that $3 million grant as the key in gaining both private and public support for the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building on Lake Monona.

Mr. Miller was born in Milwaukee. His dad, Roy, moved the family to Madison two years later. Although he had only an eighth-grade education, Roy Miller used his mechanical skills to eventually become superintendent of maintenance for all state buildings in Madison.

When Fred and his twin brother, Frank, finished high school in 1930, they were encouraged to go to college despite the Depression and hard financial times. Fred graduated with a political science degree in 1934 and then got his law degree in 1936.

Shortly after he and Vi Bagley married in 1939, Mr. Miller built a home on Arbor Drive, a stone's throw from the western shore of Lake Wingra. Mrs. Miller died in 1992 and Mr. Miller sold the home in 2000 and moved to the new Attic Angels facility on the far west side, where he lived until his death.

He was a member of the State Bar Association of Wisconsin, the UW's Elvehjem Art Museum Council, the University Club, Bascom Hill Society, the UW Foundation and the Madison Club.

His survivors include a niece, Nancy Gage, also a board member of The Capital Times Co. and a trustee of the Evjue Charitable Trust, and her husband, Allan Finney. A son and daughter of his late twin brother, Frank Miller, also survive him. They are Donald F. Miller of Mount Horeb and Marcia Miller Rigney of Apache Junction, Ariz.

Also surviving are his close friends Dr. Gordon and Marjorie Davenport, Dick and Jean McKenzie, Dick and Janet Murphy, Oscar and Gerry Mayer and Sally Jamieson, all of Madison.

There will be a private burial service. The Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, is in charge of arrangements.


Originally published as a news story on the front page of The Capital Times oon December 16, 2003.

Obituary: Frank S. Custer - Class of 1931

MADISON - Frank Stanley Custer, age 88, ended his brave battle with cancer on Saturday, October 28, 2000. He passed away peacefully, attended by his children, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center. Frank was born on July 16, 1912, in Madison. He was the first of five children, and shared his birthday with his identical twin brother, Rudy, of Atlanta, Georgia. Frank is survived by his wife, Selma of Stoughton; his children, Deborah (Tom Sykes) Custer of Columbia, Maryland; Wendy (Mike) Kornell of Stoughton, William of Madison, and Jill (Tom) Hietpas of Madison; and six grandchildren. Frank is also survived by his brother, Rudy; and sisters, Joy Dakin of Dallas, Oregon, and Maya Olsen of Banks, Oregon. Frank was a graduate of Madison's Central High School and UW-Madison. During his high school and college years he was a cheerleader for their football and basketball teams. As one of the famous "Custer twins," he led energetic cheers and acrobatic routines, revving up the crowds on a regular basis. He turned cartwheels on the football field during UW Homecoming games throughout his adult life, until the mid 1990s. After college, Frank served as personal secretary to the founder of The Capital Times, William T. Evjue, before enlisting in the United States Army on June 18, 1942. He was very proud of his service overseas in various World War II battles, including Normandy and Ardennes. Following the war, Frank returned to the states. After a brief respite in southern California, he returned to Madison and The Capital Times, beginning an eventful career as a newspaper reporter. Frank married Selma Iylland on June 25, 1949. A veteran reporter of The Capital Times, Frank was the author of the popular "Looking Backward" column, in addition to covering the police run and writing a variety of feature articles. Frank thrived at the newspaper, loving every minute. Frank had a deep love for Madison and a passion for its colorful history. As a walking encyclopedia of Madison history, Frank became a respected Madison historian. This led him to develop popular lectures and slide shows which he presented to organizations and schools around the area. He also acted as a guide on bus and talking tours, taught Madison mini-courses at the UW-Madison, and wrote Madison history articles for Madison Magazine and In Business. In addition to his professional activities, his tireless energy was funneled into community involvement such as PTA president, Sunday school teacher, and credit union director. He was a dedicated, enthusiastic Chicago Bears fan. Frank loved music, art and nature. He was a voracious reader and treasured his books. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn Custer and Maya Custer; and his brother, Dr. Glen Stanley Custer. Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, November 1, 2000 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. The funeral will be on Thursday, Novermber 2, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. at ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison. Friends may call on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Frank's memory to the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. William Rock, nurses and assistants, and all those who have made such wonderful, compassionate care available through the HospiceCare Center. They allowed our father a loving and peaceful passing on to God's arms. Frank was a beloved husband and heroic father who lived to its fullest and had a smile for everyone. He cherished his family and never let them forget it. His love, quick wit and high energy will continue to be an inspiration to his family.

Originally published in The Capital Times on October 31, 2000

Note: Frank Custer's graduation year is based on information in a June 5, 1931 article in the Wisconsin State Journal listing the Central High School graduates.

Obituary: Violet Bagley Miller - Class of 1934

Newspapers Lose Longtime Leader
By William R. Wineke Wisconsin State Journal

Violet Miller, 76, a director of Madison Newspapers Inc. and wife of The Capital Times publisher Frederick Miller, died Monday of cancer.

She was the niece of William Evjue, founder and editor of The Capital Times, and played a quiet but significant role in the newspaper after Evjue's death in 1970.A petite, quiet person, Miller was never known to use her influence to intimidate others, but her influence was felt, nevertheless.

"She always brought a freshness and spirit that enriched our organization,'' said Jim Burgess, publisher of the Wisconsin State Journal and president of MNI. "She had new ideas and, when she didn't like something, she could say so in the most charming manner.''

Miller was active in a number of community organizations, though she rarely sought leadership roles. She was particularly interested in music, art and other cultural activities in Madison.

She was a member of the Bascom Hill Society, the University of Wisconsin Foundation, the Madison Civic Music Association, the Elvehjem Council, Alpha Theta sorority and the Madison Club.

Most recently, she served on the committee developing the Ronald McDonald House of Madison, which will serve as a home for families of children being treated at Madison hospitals.
She also was interested in the work of The Capital Times charities, particularly the Kiddie Camp and, later, the William T. Evjue Foundation. She was elected president of the Kiddie Camp in 1964.

David Zweifel, editor of The Capital Times, said, "Vi Miller meant an awful lot to us. She stood by us when maybe it wasn't always easy, and her work on both the newspaper's board and the foundation's board has made Madisona better community as a result. We are deeply saddened by her death.''

The former Violet Bagley was close to Evjue and his wife, Zillah, as she grew up in Madison and shared their love of the arts. She was a friend of Frank Lloyd Wright and frequently spent Sunday evenings at Taliesin in Spring Green.

She was married to Frederick Miller in 1939, a marriage that was sustained by mutual love for more than 50 years.

The Millers were virtually inseparable. They traveled the world together, attending concerts and plays and collecting antiques. Violet Miller frequentlywrote travel columns about her journeys for The Capital Times.

At home, however, she lived quietly and took great joy in her home on ArborDrive, watching the seasons change in the woods surrounding Lake Wingra.

She is survived by her husband and by two nieces, Nancy Gage-Finney, Madison; and Marsha Rigney, Phoenix, Ariz.; and a nephew, Donald Miller, MountHoreb.

Funeral services will be held privately. The family has suggested that memorials be made to the charity of one's choice.


Originally published as a news story in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 26, 1992

Note: Violet Bagley Miller's class year is based on information in the booklet prepared for the 35th reunion of the Class of 1934.