Rest In Peace: Coach Ron Miller, Ph.D., M.d’A.

It’s a week of celebration as another Guevarra graduates from high school, but also a sad week as we learned the Coach Ron Miller, Ph.D., M.d’A has passed away. I’ve had many mentors in my life, but none as special as “Coach”. I first met Coach Miller when I was lucky enough the get in the PE Fencing class at UNC Chapel Hill. He invited a few of the class members to try out next year. Two of them became very close friends throughout the next 3 years on the team (Alexander Gilmore and Stockton Butler). We tried out for the team together and made it.

Throughout the next 3 years in college, Coach Miller had been the constant during my UNC life. We were there for his ups and downs, his teaching and coaching were infectious, and he was there for his fencer’s ups and downs. It was also tough love that helped me get my academia back in order. Perhaps, if it wasn’t for Coach Miller, I might not have graduated, but definitely, if it wasn’t for Coach Miller, I wouldn’t have the family I have now. Jennifer joined the team during mine and her Junior year. We began dating during our Senior year. And since it had a positive impact on both my academics and fencing, Coach fully supported it. And that is a similar story that can be heard throughout his 52 year tenure at UNC. Many fencers created families with team members and Coach Miller is sort of Grandfather to all of them.

Coach continued to be a part of our lives after graduation, assisting me with the start of my own fencing club. Modeling my instruction and care for my fencers and families after him. Hoping my patience, ability to teach, and generosity can match his own. We were always in constant contact and I also became close with his wife Susun. They were a loving couple who generously invited me, Gabriel, and Isabelle into their home while I assisted Coach with his summer fencing camps.

When Coach first asked me to assist him in 2018 with his summer fencing camp, I was hesitant, but Jennifer said, “Coach just asked you to help him, and when he asks, you go help him.” I assisted Coach in 2018 and 2019 then camps were closed in 2020 and had not been able to return since. I’m thankful for those 2 years when I and some of my kids were able to spend a week learning and teaching alongside Coach. There was so much love, warmth, and generosity in the Susun and Coach household. It was difficult to think of a UNC Fencing program without Coach Miller. It’s difficult to think of a world without Coach Miller. It’s heartbreaking to think of Susun without Coach Miller. They were always thoughtful, wise, and loving to everyone and each other.

I may have had a simple question that I texted, and Susun would always text back, “Coach says to call him.” It may not always be about fencing. It was about anything. Life, love, career, family. He was willing to share his wisdom whenever it was asked for.  I will miss our conversations.

For those that know me through the All-American Fencing Academy, my teaching style and some of my mannerisms in coaching can almost all be attributed to Coach Miller. For those that were lucky enough to have worked with and been taught by Coach Miller, you may understand what has made the All-American Fencing Academy successful.

Thank you Coach Miller and Susun for your time, service, and love for the sport of fencing. Thank you for your generosity, wisdom, and care for the well being of the people in your care and your community. This is a difficult loss for so many people.

As Coach Miller would say when you asked him how he was doing, he would say, “Alive, awake, alert, joyous, and enthusiastic about life and fencing.” Please live your life with the same amount of love.  I cannot express in words how much one man outside of family has meant to me.  This was a loss too early.

Learn more about Coach Ron Miller’s career:
UNC Fencing Article: https://goheels.com/sports/fencing/roster/coaches/ron-miller/29
Personal Biography Page: http://www.coachronmiller.com/Bio.html
USA Fencing Announcement: https://www.usafencing.org/news_article/show/1275558