Charles Hood "Chuck" Day, a devoted father, well-loved teacher, stage producer, and good friend, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at the Hospice of the Valley care center in Tempe, Ariz. His passing marked the end of a long, valiant battle with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was 49.
Chuck taught drama at Highland Junior High School in Gilbert, Ariz., for many years. As recently as this past winter - and despite being largely immobilized by his disease - Chuck continued to produce and direct plays with his students. He loved to teach, and his desire to keep teaching was nothing short of inspirational, said several of his colleagues and students.
"He was an inspiration and example of courage to all of us in the Highland Junior High School community," said George Bowers, a former principal of the school. "We will miss him."
Chuck was born Dec. 6, 1958, in Rochester, Minn., the second child of John Hood and Carol Wouters Day. Carol died when Chuck was a young child. His father later married Karen Ann Day, whom Chuck always called simply "Mom."
Chuck graduated from Bozeman Senior High School and Montana State University. As a young man, he lived at times in Wyoming, New Hampshire, Greece, Hawaii and Virginia before finally settling in the Phoenix area, where he earned teaching degrees from Arizona State University.
He was a devoted father to Ryan Thomas Day; he always said the greatest passion of his life was being a father. He also had a circle of friends so close he considered them his extended family. One friend laughingly said she had never seen anyone surrounded by so many adoring women.
Chuck loved to dance and was an accomplished photographer. He also liked to travel, and he could often be found in the mountains or on lakes near his homes, where he enjoyed waterskiing, jetskiing, and mountain biking.
He maintained his dignity, clarity and sense of humor right up to the end, making bawdy jokes and twisted comments about his health even in the hours before his death. His friends and family are proud to have known Chuck and been part of his life.
Chuck is survived by his son, Ryan Day of Beverly Hills, Fla.; parents, John and Karen Day of Bozeman; sisters, Cynthia McCarthy of Bozeman and Robin Day of Ville Platte, La.; brother, James Day of Tashkent, Uzbekistan; special friend, Donna Sequella and her two children, Cody and Lauren, with whom Chuck lived in Gilbert; and numerous other relatives and close friends.
A celebration of Chuck's life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Beall Park Center in Bozeman.
I was able to spend time with Chuck when I was in Bozeman for our last reunion, in August 2007. It was great to see him, and he was as much fun as ever.
I planned a trip to Phoenix in the fall of 2008, in the hopes of seeing him again. Unfortunately, he passed away before the trip.
Lisa Bergum (Roeck)
Charles Hood "Chuck" Day, a devoted father, well-loved teacher, stage producer, and good friend, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at the Hospice of the Valley care center in Tempe, Ariz. His passing marked the end of a long, valiant battle with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was 49.
Chuck taught drama at Highland Junior High School in Gilbert, Ariz., for many years. As recently as this past winter - and despite being largely immobilized by his disease - Chuck continued to produce and direct plays with his students. He loved to teach, and his desire to keep teaching was nothing short of inspirational, said several of his colleagues and students.
"He was an inspiration and example of courage to all of us in the Highland Junior High School community," said George Bowers, a former principal of the school. "We will miss him."
Chuck was born Dec. 6, 1958, in Rochester, Minn., the second child of John Hood and Carol Wouters Day. Carol died when Chuck was a young child. His father later married Karen Ann Day, whom Chuck always called simply "Mom."
Chuck graduated from Bozeman Senior High School and Montana State University. As a young man, he lived at times in Wyoming, New Hampshire, Greece, Hawaii and Virginia before finally settling in the Phoenix area, where he earned teaching degrees from Arizona State University.
He was a devoted father to Ryan Thomas Day; he always said the greatest passion of his life was being a father. He also had a circle of friends so close he considered them his extended family. One friend laughingly said she had never seen anyone surrounded by so many adoring women.
Chuck loved to dance and was an accomplished photographer. He also liked to travel, and he could often be found in the mountains or on lakes near his homes, where he enjoyed waterskiing, jetskiing, and mountain biking.
He maintained his dignity, clarity and sense of humor right up to the end, making bawdy jokes and twisted comments about his health even in the hours before his death. His friends and family are proud to have known Chuck and been part of his life.
Chuck is survived by his son, Ryan Day of Beverly Hills, Fla.; parents, John and Karen Day of Bozeman; sisters, Cynthia McCarthy of Bozeman and Robin Day of Ville Platte, La.; brother, James Day of Tashkent, Uzbekistan; special friend, Donna Sequella and her two children, Cody and Lauren, with whom Chuck lived in Gilbert; and numerous other relatives and close friends.
A celebration of Chuck's life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Beall Park Center in Bozeman.
Lisa Bergum (Roeck)
I was able to spend time with Chuck when I was in Bozeman for our last reunion, in August 2007. It was great to see him, and he was as much fun as ever.
I planned a trip to Phoenix in the fall of 2008, in the hopes of seeing him again. Unfortunately, he passed away before the trip.
Chuck was a great friend, and is missed.