GOSHEN – One year ago Tuesday, a popular Goshen College professor was brutally killed.
Professor Jim Miller lost his life during a home invasion that left his wife Linda with serious injuries.
Linda has recovered from that day, but police continue to follow up leads in the case.
His family is holding onto memories and prayers.
“Life has been hard,” said Linda. “There’s no doubt life has been hard this year.”
In a year’s time, she and her children remember October 9, 2011 everyday and what Jim meant to them.
“We have a lost that nothing will replace, and time will heal,” Linda said. “Yes, it will get less painful, but yes, nothing can replace Jim’s life. We just have to build our lives without him now and just keep our memories.”
Memories of Jim’s life as a well-known biology teacher at Goshen College, memories fostered by numerous memorials around campus, whether a tree planted in his memory or a bench on campus set up in an area where people can go to reflect and pray.
Linda says it’s those things and help from many people that have helped her and her family over the past year.
“People have been willing to love us and to encourage us when we needed encouragement. People have given us our space, and I would say supportive in many ways that they can.”
The profound sense of loss with his passing is still also felt by the Goshen College community. Teachers, staffers and students who were greatly impacted by Professor Miller’s work on campus.
“I don’t think any of us can even imagine the loss that they feel,” said GC Director of Public Relations Richard Aguirre. “The continued sadness that they feel, losing a husband, losing a father, losing a good friend.”
Goshen Police Chief Wade Branson says evidence taken from the scene of the 58-year-old Miller's death continues to undergo DNA testing at a state police laboratory. Branson says the department continues reviewing about 100 leads that have come from the public.
Tuesday afternoon, a remembrance will be held on campus, marking the one-year anniversary of Professor Jim Miller’s death. It will be held outside at 4:30 p.m. near the school’s music center.
