Geoffrey Milburn

"My goodness!" "Parvae puellae!" ... and now Mr Milburn's pointer rests ... But does it? As I have read above it had already been passed on to many! May my shabby mimicry of yore at Beck be seen now the sincerest maifestation of respect ... and gratitude. Before I left for Germany I visited Mr Milburn at Althouse and thanked him for showing magnanimity. He embellished us all!

(Donated to Canadian Cancer Society)

(Donated to Canadian Cancer Society)

(Donated to Canadian Cancer Society)

Ann and Karen I'm so sorry to learn of your loss.Your dad was a great teacher, a master of his craft. I know from personal experience. At Althouse he commanded great respect from both his colleagues and students. Fortunately you both inherited his keen intellect and love of learning...though his sense of humour and wry smile was uniquely his own.His legacy includes at least two generations of teachers who sustained his passion for history and his love of words.My sympathies and best wishes to you both.

Many others have already commented on Mr. Milburn's excellent and inspirational teaching at Beck Collegiate. I agree 100%. What a pleasure to be in touch with him again at the Singing Auditoriums in May, 2010, and again in 2011. He seemed to have an affinity for the Grad Class of 1963 and joined us for drinks, nibblies and much fine conversation in a local restaurant on both occasions. We missed his presence this year. My best memory of Geoff was, of course, from the classroom on the day he pronounced, "This is a wonderful book....it's a history book!" Perhaps he is in preparation for another class on high? Forever in my memory, Brad Myers, Class of 1963

Beth and I both had the pleasure of Having Geoff as a history teacher in 1959-60( Beth was in grade 10 and I was in grade 12 )We were both impressed for his passion of his subject , his obvious love of teaching and especially the little sparkle in his eyes when he made his often repeated phrase " Don't write that down ". I had the privilege of meeting up with him again at Althouse when after my teaching career , I taught mathematics for another five years . He claimed he" taught Wes everything he knew ". Both of us enjoyed having Geoff to our house for dinner along with several former Beck students where he fit in nicely and quietly shared with us some really interesting stories of his teaching career at Beck . In retrospect both of us were very pleased to have had one last opportunity to visit with him . You will be missed Mr. Millburn

My deepest sympathy to you Karen, your love and support for your father over the last few months was wonderful. I enjoyed getting to know your dad, and loved his wit. God Bless.

I had Mr. Milburn in Grade 10 history, back in the 60s. If the measure of a good teacher is that they impart one lesson their students do not forget, then he was a terrific teacher. As soon as I read of his passing, I also heard his booming voice pronounce "Hadrian's Wall is NOT a wall built by Hadrian." I'm not sure I appreciated his wit back then as teachers were so seldom funny, but I do now.

"Magister Milburn" my first Latin teacher....oh how I loved that class! He was a force at Beck in the early sixties. After my teaching career I taught at Althouse and got re-acquainted with him. We chatted frequently and then he was my teacher once more in my Master's program. He just kept appearing in my life whenever I needed direction. I will be forever grateful for his advice on many things. My deepest condolences to his family--such a loss to humanity.... Godspeed Mr. Milburn.

Sympathy for the loss of such a lovely man. It was always a delight to be in touch with Geoff. His distinctive voice, and his pithy wit, will be remain with me always, and calling them to mind invariably brings a moment of delight and joy.

My sincere condolences to Geoff's family. He will be truly missed and remembered by his friends and colleagues. He touched my life from the time I started my career; an inspirational fatherly figure during my 30 years at Althouse. He accepted every life challenge that came his way with his witty dry sense of humour! Geoff earned my respect over the years and I will always remember him fondly with numerous 'little anecdotes' that we shared. I will miss him! May his soul rest in peace.

This is very depressing news, and I send my sincere condolences to the family. Geoff was my teacher in grades XII and XIII at Beck, years in which he inspired my career choice. I had always enjoyed History, but he was the teacher who showed me one could actually make a living with it. Moreover his classroom demeanour was awe inspiring - there was instant respect and attention given. In my early years of teaching I often asked myself in difficult situations, "what would Milburne do?". My path went to UWO and Cambridge, and then back to King's University College at UWO where I have spent 42 (so far) wonderful years as a History Professor, and for that I have always been deeply grateful to Geoffrey Milburne for pointing the way. What a teacher!

Geoff will be much missed by those of us who knew whom as colleague and friend. My sympathies to the family who now go on alone... SR

We are sorry to hear about the death of Geoff. Garth has fine memories of him as a colleague and fellow badminton enthusiast. We had a nice 15 minute visit with Geoff at Parkwood a week or two ago reminiscing about both good and not so good events of the past. Wilma remembers with fondness both Karen and Ann from Oakridge days. Regards. Garth and Wilma Lambert.

It was many years before I realized that Mr Milburn was only ten years older than me when he arrived at Beck to teach history. His demeanour made the gap seem so much greater. He struck such fear in me during Grade XIII History, but in the end he inspired and encouraged me towards a life-long love and pursuit of history. Geoff has always been my favourite teacher. JC

Geoff was an inspiration to both of us as our Grade 13 History teacher. He was challenging, entertaining and incredibly knowledgeable. We will always treasure his dry sense of humor and the sparkle in his eyes. Please accept our sincere condolences. Ann and Brian Arnold

Mr. Geoff Milburn indeed helped to make a difference in my academic and professional life. Although as a Beck student becoming a "teacher" was the furthest career one could have imagined for me. I did become a business education high school teacher and enjoyed 31 years teaching and school administration. I would comment to "student teachers" that you take the best in what you see in other teachers and then consider applying it to your own style. Thanks to Geoffery Milburn and my memories of the text "Modern Age". I often recalled how Mr. Milburn demonstrated academic expertise and empathy for students---personal influences that helped me to be a better person and teacher. Geoff Milburn was a teacher's teacher! Sincere sympathy to family, colleagues and friends of Mr. Geoff Milburn.

I admired and liked Geoff Milburn throughout my time at Beck. I found him to be a wonderful teacher who could inspire one to be a better student, to enjoy learning and to strive to make a difference in our world. Farewell Geoff and condolences to your family.

Geoff was one of the most influential teachers in my life. I transferred to Beck for Grade 13 after having failed miserably on my first try, including a miserable mark in History. Geoff turned me on to study and got me passionate about History, which I went on to study at UWO. I think my Grade 13 mark thanks to him was 87. He was a caring, passionate teacher -- qualities I hope I was able to emulate in my teaching career at Ryerson University. Thanks, Geoff, and my condolences to your family.

Geoff was my first year history tutor at Western - and later my History Prof at Althouse. That was many years ago. Whenever I've been asked over the years to describe the best teacher I ever knew - my memories of Geoff are in my answer. He was tough but fair and kind, smart and visionary, appeared to me never to compromise his principles, he was a "gentlman" and - he had "grit". We had many intriguing discussions about the women's movement - back in the 70's - I don't think I ever managed to convert him but those conversations did (quite wisely) curb my youthful and naive enthusiasm. One of my fondest memories was giving him a gift subscription to the innaugural year of "Ms." Magazine. The look on his face was priceless! I'm a better person for having met Geoff Milburn. May his family take some comfort in knowing how deeply he touched so many lives for so many years.

Geoff was a great teacher to me and my late wife Margaret (beck class of 64). Later he was a coworker with Margaret when she returned to teach at Beck in its last years. I last spoke with him at the time of Margaret's passing (May 2010) and we reminisced by phone about the glory days of Beck and how we all contributed to a great school in our own ways. Geoff had the opportunity to contribute and to mould young lives for many years. Bless you Geoffrey Milburn.

My deepest condolences to the Milburn family. When I was a high school student at Sir Adam Beck over 50 years ago Mr. Milburn drove me to school every morning for a year. I lived in Byron and had to commute across the city if I wanted to stay at Beck and Mr. Milburn who lived not far from me volunteered to help me stay at the school. I was a bit of a flakey kid but he treated me with respect and kindness. There are not many professions that impact on an individual’s life to the extent that teaching does. I have often thought back to that time and remembered him fondly for something he did so long ago.He was a wonderful teacher and human being and his kindness will always be remembered.

My deepest condolences to the Milburn family. When I was a high school student at Sir Adam Beck over 50 years ago Mr. Milburn drove me to school every morning for a year. I lived in Byron and had to commute across the city if I wanted to stay at Beck and Mr. Milburn who lived not far from me volunteered to help me stay at the school. I was a bit of a flakey kid but he treated me with respect and kindness. There are not many professions that impact on an individual’s life to the extent that teaching does. I have often thought back to that time and remembered him fondly for something he did so long ago.He was a wonderful teacher and human being and his kindness will always be remembered.

Geoff was a good friend and colleague to me. He and I served in turn as Canadian editors of the Journal of Curriculum Studies and were together on the executive of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies. Geoff' could see all the trees in the forest as an exacting editor and he could see the forest in full in what he professed. He combined wonderful craftsmanship with a very clear view of the horizon. He was generous in his support of colleagues. He was an prof complete! JO.