Timothy Miller, an employee known for going out of his way to help students at the Annenberg School for School Communication & Journalism, died Saturday morning. He was 47.

Kindness · Miller often brought cookies, cakes and other food to celebrate holidays at Annenberg. - Courtesy of Annenberg Television News

Miller, who lived in Lakewood, Calif., began working for Annenberg 12 years ago in the Facilities and Technology, Multimedia department. Miller moved into his office in the Annenberg equipment room eight years ago when he became the full-time equipment room coordinator.

“He was more than just a person who handed you the [video] equipment,” said Chuck Boyles, director of multimedia technologies at Annenberg. “[He] could tell you that he loved his job.”

Along with checking out a camera or tripod, students often received a piece of candy or a cookie from Miller.

“He was almost like a mother hen to everyone in this department,” said Boyles, who received several pineapple upside-down cakes from Miller over the years because Miller knew it was one of his favorite treats.

Miller frequently hosted food days and he would walk around the building, offering students and staff cookies, or bring in a crockpot and cook corn beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day.

“He would always stop and greet everyone coming in the door,” said Fiona Siu, a senior majoring in architecture who worked in the equipment room.

Annenberg knew Miller for always being the first one to hand out Christmas cards and decorate the ground floor in bright holiday spirit, said Tom Norris, computer services consultant and Annenberg Television News supervisor.

Miller had been the same caring guy since college, said Norris, who attended Santa Ana College with Miller.

“He’s the kind of guy who never told you when his birthday was,” said Norris, who said he thinks Miller didn’t want other people to buy him presents. “All he ever wanted to do is help people.”

Though Miller did not share much about his personal life with co-workers, he essentially had three families — his immediate family, Annenberg and his church — Boyles said.

The Annenberg family will miss his smiling face, he said, but will also miss his dedication to his job and the equipment room.

“I think there’s a lot of stuff to pull together in the department,” said Lindsay Berg, a junior majoring in print journalism and sociology who has worked alongside Miller over the last two years. “There’s a lot of work to do now that he’s gone.”

Miller’s work ethic and long hours made him readily available and happy to help students.

“He always made the extra effort to reach out and help anyone but himself,” Berg said. “He was the life of the office.”

Miller treated everyone as a special person, Boyles wrote in a letter.

“Tim was unique, and while we are all unique, there will never be another Tim Miller,” he said.

Miller was working toward an undergraduate degree in communication during his time at Annenberg.

He was planning on walking at commencement this year, Norris said.

Miller is survived by his father, Paul Miller and mother, Ramona. A viewing will be held Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Stricklin Snively Funerals and Cremations in Long Beach, Calif. The memorial service will take place Aug. 28, at 10 a.m. at the Westwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.

Joe and Barbara Saltzman have established a fund that is now accepting donations in Miller’s name at The Jester and Pharley Phund.