Millar, Inc. Regrets to Announce the Passing of Founder

HOUSTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Russell Millar, Chairman of the Board, regrets to announce the passing of his father, Huntly Millar, the founder and chairman emeritus of Millar, Inc., on Monday, April 11, 2016 after a short illness.  He was resting comfortably at home at the time of his passing.

Huntly Millar was born on October 22, 1927 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Glenda, daughter Amy Elizabeth and granddaughter Emerald Joanne, and son Russell Eric Millar. He is also survived by his sisters, Dorothea McNiven of Montreal and Fiona Millar of Avignon, France, and many nephews and nieces.

An accomplished biomedical engineer and entrepreneur, he started his career in the early 1950s in Montreal, earning a B. Sc. Degree from McGill University. He moved from Montreal in the 1950s to work with Dr. Les Geddes in the establishment of the Bioengineering department at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.  He continued his education with the M. Sc. Degree from University of Houston, and a Diploma in Classical Physiology with Modern Instrumentation from Baylor University. 

In 1957 he founded E&M Instrument Company, developing and manufacturing laboratory teaching instrumentation for physiology and pharmacology in medical schools. This company then joined Narco Biosystems in 1961. After eight successful years, he decided it was time for a change.

In 1969 Huntly founded what was then Millar Instruments, Inc. to develop catheter-tip pressure sensors for measuring intra-cardiac pressures.  His goal was to create instruments more accurate than the existing technology. Starting from a workshop in his garage, the company is now known around the world for developing and manufacturing unique devices for invasive physiological pressure and volume measurement in living bodies. For the last forty-six years, Millar devices have been used by doctors and researchers to improve the lives of patients and aid in the development and testing of innovative, life-saving drugs.  As Millar, Inc. the company carries on his legacy of producing innovative products for clinical and research use.

In 2011 the Houston Business Journal selected him as one of its "Health Care Heroes" in the category of "Innovator" for his 40 years of inventing medical devices to help diagnose disease in humans and contribute to the body of medical knowledge. He held twenty-eight U. S. patents on his inventions.

He was always interested in improving the state of the art and providing customers with the means to advance and improve medical science.  He thoroughly enjoyed the creative process, approaching problems with enthusiasm and, more often than not, coming up with practical, innovative solutions.  He enjoyed working with people and was an enthusiastic teacher.  His enthusiasm for his work was infectious and he definitely had fun doing what he loved.

His passion for constant improvement and innovation helped make the Millar pressure sensor the gold standard for physiological pressure measurements in the medical community. The products continue to demonstrate the quality, accuracy and reliability which Huntly instilled into the company during his many decades of successful leadership. Today, Millar, Inc. continues Huntly's legacy of delivering the sensors that accelerate medical discovery.  The products originally developed by Huntly now provide the foundation for basic cardiovascular research, enable pharmacological discovery and deliver advanced clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular disease on a daily basis.

Huntly's leadership example, unwavering work ethic and vision will continue to guide the company as it focuses on bringing a new generation of innovative sensors and devices to the life sciences and medical device communities.

Services to be held at: 
Forest Park Lawndale 
6900 Lawndale 
Houston, TX 77023 

Visitation: Friday, April 22, 2016  5:00-9:00 p.m. 
Funeral: Saturday, April 23, 2016  11:00 a.m. 

Flowers or Donations to the Baylor College of Medicine, Parkinson's Disease Center will be accepted.

For Donations to the Parkinson's Center at Baylor College of Medicine:

Online:  https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/care-centers/parkinsons

By Mail:
PDCMDC Fellowship Training Program #2280022206
Baylor College of Medicine
Office of Philanthropy
MSC #800 P.O. Box 4976
Houston, TX 77210

SOURCE Millar, Inc.