Millard was a man of know-how

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Monday, June 16, 2008

When Archie Millard left Fergus Falls in early 1977 to assume duties as Jamestown Division Manager for Otter Tail Power Company, people knew he would fit right in. Jamestown’s culture reflected native son and author Louis L’Amour.

Millard, 81, who died June 10, previously gave me some insight about his eight years in Jamestown. He returned to live in the Fergus Falls area in 1985.

“Even though cowboys no longer travel the railway with stockcars full of cattle, like in the days of a young Louis L’Amour, the gateway to the western culture lives on,” he said. “People in Jamestown are sincere and they don’t put on airs. Millionaires who came to the Wagon Masters Restaurant were like common Joes.”

Millard, who served as division manager in the largest community served by Otter Tail Power Company, came across as a common Joe. He had a variety of interests during his lifetime, most of which included his wife, Evelyn, and their eight children.

In 1975 Millard, assisted by family members and friends, completed a log cabin near Northome, deer hunting country in Koochiching County of northern Minnesota. A year later they started work on another log cabin, at Long Lake north of Fergus Falls.

“We had never built a log cabin before our first project got underway near Northome,” son Steve said last week. “Dad said to just give it a try. We received some good advice. Everyone pitched in and things worked out well.”

A World War II veteran, Millard also became a pilot and flight instructor. Like many people in this area, he also loved hunting and fishing.

He came up through the ranks at Otter Tail Power Company.

Millard was raised at Canby in southwestern Minnesota, where he played town baseball with family members and friends. After the war ended, in 1945, Millard became a service representative trainee for Otter Tail Power in South Dakota. He later became a civic leader while working for the company at Lake Benton, southwest of Marshall.

Millard knew, as the cliche goes, that the pen is oftentimes mightier than the sword. He transferred to Otter Tail Power’s Fergus Falls headquarters in 1962 and edited the employee Hi-Lites publication for five years. Millard worked with director Ralph Johnson, Al Seltz and Phyllis Rossow.

MIllard’s rich and pleasant voice and good appearance made him a natural for many company audio-video presentations produced by Lee Krogh. After 15 years in corporate communications he moved to Jamestown.

Finding himself at the helm in Otter Tail Power’s North Dakota headquarters, Millard had a philosophy of allowing people under his supervision to attain personal growth with the opportunity to prove themselves on the job.

He connected well with customers large and small, including corporate giants Ladish Malting and Western Gear, an aircraft manufacturer.

“Archie had a special way of being close to people,” said the Rev. Ken Brenny, former Catholic pastor at Elizabeth, who officiated during the funeral for Millard Friday at Our Lady of Victory Church, Fergus Falls. “He was a positive person, with a great laugh, and was a wonderful mentor to many people.”

Brenny had each of Archie’s and Evelyn’s eight children and spouses stand up during the service and be recognized.

“Don’t ever lose the gifts that Archie has given you,” Brenny told family members.

Later, people echoed the words of Brenny in noting that Millard had a gift of being positive and connecting well with people. Was great to know you, Archie.

Tom Hintgen’s column runs on Mondays.