The Tyrone Area School District and the surrounding area are mourning the loss of a dear friend and prominent leader in the community.

Blair County Judge Fred B. Miller, 54, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 10th. Miller served the Tyrone community for over 20 years as an honorable public servant.

A graduate of Tyrone Area High School, Penn State University, and Dickinson School of Law, Miller began his public service in the Tyrone area as district magistrate in 2002. After serving in that role for over 20 years, Miller was elected as a Blair County judge in 2023.

As Tyrone’s District Magistrate, he handled some of the biggest issues and conflicts within the school district. He presided over serious matters of discipline and attendance and handled them with fair and firm decisions.

Several current employees and administrators at Tyrone had close professional and personal relationships with Judge Miller.

Tyrone’s Dean of Students Luke Rhoades was involved with many truancy and other serious school discipline cases that came before Miller’s court as district magistrate.

Rhoades recalled that Miller was very engaged with the students and families who came before his bench and always had the student’s best interests in mind.

“Judge Miller was very passionate about truancy and believed in the truancy process. He would be willing to help facilitate a relationship between the school and the family to fix attendance,” Rhoades said.

Miller left a legacy of holding firm to the law while attempting to get students struggling with attendance to achieve better habits.

Superintendent Leslie Estep appreciated Judge Miller’s hands-on approach when dealing with students.

“He was always fair and respectful to the students in this setting. On occasion, he would even tell a student that he was going to check on them at the school and then show up one day to do just that,” Estep said.

Tyrone’s School District Police Officer Robert “Bub” Dick, who has served the district for 23 years, said that Fred Miller was there for him every step of the way.

“He and his family served this town to the utmost [degree],” Dick said.

Estep also had fond memories of Judge Miller’s humor, especially when working with Officer Bub.

“He often liked to give Officer Bub a hard time, especially when Bub would deliver citations and wanted to talk with him on a Tuesday, usually the busiest day for the court… He would call and say, ‘Leslie, would you please remind Bub again that Tuesdays are arraignment day. I don’t want to see him bringing me citations on Tuesdays!” Estep said.

Miller’s dedication to Tyrone’s students and the school district was clear to everyone who knew him.

“Fred never hid his passion for Tyrone and its people. Even in his high-profile positions, Fred was right in there working with everyone else,” Estep said.

Outside the courtroom, Judge Miller also contributed to the community in many ways.

The Reliance Bank Kiwanis Holiday Basketball Tournament, one of the biggest annual events for Tyrone basketball, wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership and support of Judge Miller.

Miller helped to create the tournament over 13 years ago, and Rhoades said it will continue in Judge Miller’s memory “with the help and support of several of Fred’s friends and several sponsors,” Rhoades said.

For many years Miller also volunteered at the annual Tyrone Area High School “Senior Safety Day” during which he presided over a mock DUI trial and spoke to students about the legal and personal consequences of driving while impaired.

One of Miller’s recent passions was his commitment to Tyrone’s soccer program. He could often be found at games supporting his son or supporting local leagues and fundraisers to ensure the growth and success of soccer in the Tyrone area.

According to Estep, Judge Miller was a selfless contributor to the Tyrone community, whether it was organizing the Kiwanis Annual Basketball Tournament, or working with the Northern Blair Rec Center on its next grant, Miller was always there for the community.

“[Miller] wasn’t interested in the benefit to him directly. It was always about ‘the other guy’,” Estep said.

Even more significant than his exemplary community service, Miller was a devoted husband to Tyrone Area High School nurse Tracy Miller and father to current Tyrone sophomore Grant Miller.

Judge Miller will be missed. Through his hard work and community service, he impacted the Tyrone Area School District, students, staff, teachers, and administrators in a positive way.

“Fred was very important to this community. One of his greatest attributes was that he cared. When he had an idea or a vision, he would make sure that it came to fruition,” Rhoades said.

This story was originally published on Tyrone Eagle Eye News on November 14, 2024.