John Allen Miner passed away on September 7, 2024. He was a family man, psychiatrist, writer of plays, singer of silly campfire songs, lover of game night (because he always won), creator of adventures, voyager on the sea, and so much more. He lived by his motto: “Leave every place better than you found it.” He will be remembered for the playful way he lived his life and loved his family. He was incredibly kind, smart, creative, and thoughtful—he will be missed by so many.
John was born in Watertown, S.D., as the youngest of five siblings to Jim and Vera Miner. He was a standout athlete as a Watertown Arrow, an all-state football player, and also regularly appeared in the high school musicals. He was accepted into medical school after three years of college and completed two years of medical school at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion before transferring to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
It was in Minneapolis where John met his life partner, Marci Kaufman. In just months they were married and moved to Rapid City, S.D., where John worked as an emergency room physician for five years. It was in Rapid City that John and Marci welcomed their first two sons, Shane and Noel. John had always been intrigued by the complexity of the mind and finally decided to make a major change and pursue the field of psychiatry.
John entered the psychiatric residency at Yale University, where he eventually earned “top resident” honors. After completing his residency, John began a psychotherapy fellowship at Austen Riggs Center in the Berkshires, and the family moved to their home in West Stockbridge, where they welcomed their third son, Evan.
John had an impressive career in psychiatry and psychotherapy. He had various roles at Austen Riggs, started a large private practice, acted as the director of mental health at Williams College, and enjoyed teaching psychiatric residents at Berkshire Medical Center. Through his work, he made a lasting impact on so many people, both professionally and personally.
John had many interests. He loved music and was an avid singer with his church, the Berkshire Bach Society, Festival Chorus, and the acapella group The Quintessentials. Later in life, he rediscovered a passion for sailing that allowed him to explore many places—from the New England and Baja coasts to the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. He cherished the memories that were created on the water and the friendships resulted.
John will be remembered most for his deep commitment to his community and his family. While his sons were growing up, John spent many hours coaching youth baseball and basketball. When his sons expressed interest in soccer, he learned that too and started a youth three-on-three soccer tournament to support the Monument Mountain Regional High School soccer programs, which will celebrate its 25th year this fall.
John’s memory will live on through the many special traditions that he passed on to his children and grandchildren, like campfire sing-alongs and annual Christmas plays. He wrote the scripts, designed the costumes, built the sets, scored the music, and assigned roles to everyone who spent the holidays with the Miners. These were always recorded for future enjoyment and embarrassment.
In the end, John finished his life with the same dignity, honesty, and openness with which he lived. He accepted a difficult cancer diagnosis and decided to focus on sharing his love and appreciation for his family and friends. He was never angry or self-pitying; instead, he couldn’t stop telling everyone how grateful he was for his life and for them. He was sad to not be able to see what comes next for all of us, but he was overwhelmed with thankfulness for his life.
John is survived by his loving wife Marci Miner; his son Shane Miner (Becky) and their children, Kendra and Kade; his son Noel Miner (Shelby) and their children, Nora and Theo; his son Evan Miner (Alex); his extended children, Ian Wold (Robin) and their children, Stella and Aggie, and Leif Wold (Danielle) and their daughter Voa; his siblings, Jim Miner, Lois Hart, Jane Miner (Bev), and Judy Miner (Dave); his in-laws, Toby Kaufman (Elaine), Monte Kaufman (Janice), Penny Hauffe (Conard), and Mary Purdue; along with many nieces and nephews around the country.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters-in-law, Celia and Peggy; two brothers, Kenn and Pierce; and his granddaughter Hazel Miner.
Family and friends will gather on Saturday, October 5, at 1 p.m., at the Stockbridge Congregational Church to celebrate John’s life. In lieu of flowers, go explore the world, support your local hardware store, and leave every place better than you found it.
