Dabney N. Miller passed away at his home on February 5, 2014 at the age of 81. He was part of the core group who helped lay the foundation for FLOC. Mr. Miller taught science in public high schools for 15 years. Living within close proximity to Washington, DC, he became aware of the many challenges facing urban youth.
In 1972, with the support of FLOC and the Church of the Saviour, Mr. Miller became the founding director of the FLOC Wilderness School, the precursor to the Outdoor Education Center, outside Strasburg, Virginia. Mr. Miller’s passion for nature and his commitment to empowering youth were paramount to the success of the FLOC Wilderness School.
He stayed active with FLOC by serving on the board that relocated the Wilderness School and constructed the FLOC Outdoor Education Center that is located in Harpers Ferry, WV today. Mr. Miller continued to give his time through onsite support.
The Dabney Miller Center at the OEC is where hundreds of students from DC and West Virginia gather each year to learn about the environment, their peers, and themselves. Former founding Executive Director and FLOC Board Member, Fred Taylor, says that Mr. Miller should be remembered as one of FLOC’s early pioneers who helped shape the organization into what it is today. Mr. Miller will be remembered as an innovator in outdoor education for the students who have and will continue to benefit from his vision.
A memorial service celebrating Mr. Miller’s life was held on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Harmony Grove Baptist Church, Topping, Virginia.
(Kate Fleischer is the Development Assistant at FLOC).