George Laing Milne ’40

George Laing Milne ’40 of Barrington, Ill., died June 23, 2007 in Long Grove, Ill. After college he traveled to Korea on a teaching mission, but was sent back to American shortly after arriving due to the outbreak of the war. He attended Columbia University and enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was one of the “90 Day Wonders” who completed Northwestern University’s Midshipman School at Abbott Hall in Chicago in 1941. He served on a destroyer escort in the Pacific, the USS Marsh, and attained the rank of Lt. JG. He was married to Elizabeth Brookfield Milne of Chicago for fifty-nine years and they made their home first in Riverside and then in St. Charles for over forty years. He served on the school board for Community District 303. George spent his career in publishing in Chicago, first with Domestic Engineering Company, of which he became president, and then as senior vice president of Vance Publishing, until his retirement in 1983. He was initiated into the Home Center Hall of Fame in its first year for his contributions in publishing to the Home Center Industry. He and Elizabeth retired to Hilton Head Island, S.C., for fifteen years until health considerations brought them to Barrington in 1998. In Barrington he was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Lions Club and a fixture on Main Street, walking home everyday from Egg Harbor Restaurant, his home away from home. His wife, Elizabeth Brookfield Milne, preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughters Carol (David) Nelson, 210 East Liberty, Barrington, Ill. 60010, and Susan (John) Ritter of Vientiane, Laos; and three grandchildren, Claire (Francis) Grunow of Detroit, Brooke (Timothy) Graham of Portland, Oregon, and Dylan (Kelly) Nelson of Barrington. Memorial gifts may be mailed to the Davidson College Annual Fund for the Class of 1940, Box 7170, Davidson, N.C. 28035-7170, or made by calling 704-984-2103.