Dr. Coburn was a wonderful teacher and academic advisor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family...

Sarah Kader (Skorko) '03

Dr. Coburn was such a kind and peaceful person. I will forever remember him for his peanut M&Ms, infinite wisdom, sense of humor, and supportive spirit. I am so sad for this loss but know he will remain in the heart of the John Carroll community forever. My prayers will continue to be with his family and friends. Thank you for everything Dr.
Coburn.

Mary Bridget Bowen '07

Dr. Coburn was an amazing mentor to me and many friends. His love of biology, willingness to assist others, and passion for education always shined through in his work with his students. My heart goes out to his family and the rest of the JCU community during this time of grief. I met Dr. Coburn my second day at JCU shortly before taking his class...joking over the fact that the coffee machine in Dolan dispensed my coffee without a cup...for the rest of my career everytime he saw me he smiled and would always asked if I needed to borrow a coffee cup. He never failed to brighten my day. I'm sorry future classes will not have the opportunity to meet this amazing professor.

Adrienne Clark '07

Miles was a committee member for my dissertation at CWRU. I came to know him as a caring and devoted mentor and researcher, whom I looked up to. During college and through subsequent years of research and teaching, Miles always had a smile, kind words and great advice. I am grateful to have known him, and am truly saddened for the students that will not get to learn from Dr. Coburn.

Dr. Joe Faber

I will miss him as a colleague and a friend.

Gwen Kinebrew

I have been fortunate to know Miles in the past two years at JCU. He is a person who truly practiced his belief, not only religion but also humanity. I will consider Miles a living good example of being "Christian." His conduct was more persuasive than the words of priests and the claimed Christians. He genuinely respected others, and in return, he is fully embraced by others. He will be always remembered.

Diana Y. Chow

Dr. Coburn showed his enthusiasm every time he walked into class. He was a passionate, brilliant man, and the loss of his presence at JCU will certainly be felt. His dependable, influential nature guided me through two years at John Carroll, and I am forever grateful. Thank you, Dr. Coburn, for the many roles you played in the lives of your students. The JCU community is at a loss without you.

Kelly McCall '10

I was fortunate enough to be a student in several of Dr. Coburn's classes beginning my freshman year and ending my senior year. I looked forward to attending each class because I always knew Dr. Coburn would teach me something I never knew before. He was by far the best "teacher," and not just "lecturer," I have ever had the pleasure of being a pupil of. It was because of him and several other faculty at JCU that the first Anatomy and Physiology class was offered at Carroll. This class is required for many post graduate studies, including the physician assistant program that I have just completed this year. Dr. Coburn also contributed to my acceptance at the Duke University PA program by acting as a reference. He was an invaluable resource for me and many other students at JCU during my quick four year career there. I always looked forward to stopping by Dr. Coburn's office if I had a question about anything -- he was always eager to answer any questions about biology, anatomy/physiology or just life in general. I always believed he was a wealth of knowledge and I tried to morph myself into a sponge whenever I was around him so that I might soak in all that was Dr. Miles Coburn.
He will be sorely missed by me as well as the communities of JCU and Cleveland Heights as a whole. It is with great sadness and confidence that I say the world has lost one of its finest citizens.
To his family I wish to send my greatest heartfelt condolences. I am sure you do not remember me as it has been quite sometime since I met you during his acceptance of the Distinguished Faculty Award, but I send you hugs, prayers, and tears from Cary, North Carolina.

Adam Koehler '05

As we have sadly learned once again as a JCU community, life is far too short. May we all live with the passion that Dr. Coburn had for life. His quiet strength was an inspiration to me from my very first encounter with him. He held a respect for every student that was unparalleled. He was a great teacher and a man that lived out the Jesuit ideals to the fullest extent. May peace and comfort be with the Coburn family always.

Melissa Hoppert '03, '06G

Dr. Coburn was an incredible teacher and role model. I would not have gone to medical school if it were not for his encouragement, support and guidance. My prayers are with his family.

Nicholas Detore '03

Dr. Coburn was my master's thesis adviser from 2002 to 2004. Throughout the process I learned so much from him and I couldn't imagine being where I am now without his guidance. Even after I left JCU he never hesitated when I asked him for countless letters of recommendation and he was always just an e-mail away when I needed a boost of encouragement. I'll miss him greatly. My thoughts are with his family and the greater JCU family that mourns his loss.

Bryan Arnold '04G

I remember meeting Miles when he was a graduate student under my father, Dr. Fenton D. Moore, in the early 1970s. I was about 9 or 10 years old and he was the first one of my Dad's students I met and I thought he was so cool. I reconnected when he joined the faculty at JCU. He was always so friendly and genuine. He will be sorely missed. God bless him and his family.

Fenton E. Moore '87

Dr. Miles Coburn was a wonderful man. I met him through Project QUE and worked with him in the program. I volunteered as a tutor with the program and remember his passion and dedication to the program.

Stephen Neil Tacastacas '10

As my advisor, Dr. Coburn truly helped me figure out the path I would take after graduation, and I will be forever grateful. Thank you Dr. Coburn! You will be missed.

Jenn Kirallah '07

Dr. Coburn was the first biology professor I ever had the pleasure of meeting at John Carroll. He taught principles of biology lecture 1&2 my freshman year, and was always kind and easy to understand. When I went through difficult times in school, he was absolutely encouraging and approachable. My sincerest condolences to his family as they have lost a great man.

Alex Talarico '06

To the family of Dr. Coburn: I pray that he is experiencing a true peace that passes all understanding. My thoughts are with you.

Shannon (Cramer) Swiatkowski '02

I attended JCU for an MS in Biology from 2004-06. During my time there, I was fortunate to teach with, and take classes from, Miles. In the classroom, he was a great instructor and passionate about all the material he taught. The Ichthyology class and lab that he offered for graduate students was one of the best I’ve taken. Around the department, Miles was THE man to go to and chat about politics and the environment. It was because of Miles that I picked up cycling as a sport, which was one of his greatest joys. I wish his family and friends peace in their time of loss.

Matthew Venesky '06

Miles was an inspiration to me. If I could be half the teacher and professional he was, I will consider my life's work a success. My heart goes out to Peggy, Kevin, Rosey, and all of his loved ones; I have no doubt that a man that inpired genuine love from his colleagues was also an amazing husband and father. May everyone who never knew Miles be lucky enough to meet someone, at least once in their lifetime, who helps them to see how beautiful the world can be.

Mindy Peden - JCU faculty member

I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Coburn. I have fond memories of Dr. Coburn "pushing" me through my courses at JCU. His office door was always open. I remember walking away from his office door amazed that he was able to clear up my confusion of the subject matter without reaching for a textbook. His love of biology and teaching was apparent. I have not seen Dr. Coburn since graduating fron JCU, but I have thought about him often and am grateful for the part that he played in encouraging me as a biology major. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr.Coburn and his family.

Dr. Bryan P. Fisher '92

I was on Brewster Park's beach when I heard the horrendous news of Miles. I flashed back to seeing him amidst the games, and times with his family, and friends. His loss reaches far. I believe that he is watching over his family from heaven, because he had that kind of heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you, during this time.

Laura (Halkenhauser) Guion

I was deeply saddened by the news of Dr. Coburn's tragic death. When I think back thru my 21 years of education, a few select teachers/professors come to mind that had a huge impact on my life. Miles was one of those teachers! I had him for Comparative Anatomy in 1982, my sophomore year at Carroll and one of his first as a professor. Not only was he extremely knowledgeable, but you could sense his passion for the content of the material he taught. He used every second of class time to squeeze in as much information as possible. He demanded me to know the material, evident by his challenging tests and lab practicals, but was always fair. His class, without question, taught me how to study and be prepared. I carried this discipline with me to Ohio State Dental School, where I had to take Gross Anatomy my freshman year. The fundamentals Dr. Coburn taught me helped me succeed in a very difficult class.

Chris Harter '85