Benjamin Randolph "Ben" Day II

Ben was the most influential person in my life next to my dad. He directed me to follow my creative instincts in filmmaking which led to a successful career in film and video production. Other fellow students of Ben have also had very successful careers. Ben was also a very good friend.

"Let's put a tracing over it." is one of my fondest Ben Day quotes. I can still hear this phrase in his quiet tone twenty-one years later. I apply everything he taught me at Virginia Commonwealth University on a daily basis. In my book he's right up there with Steve Jobs as an influence in my life. Steve Jobs made beautiful computer typography a possibility, but Ben Day taught me how to finesse my work and achieve subtle elegance both on and off the computer. He will be missed by me and...

To Ben's friends, family and fellow students, I enjoyed Ben in design at SMS and years later chose VCU grad school in design partly because he was teaching there. I thoroughly admire and thank him for all he taught me which was more than design but critical thinking. For all his thoughtful instruction and patience, I am thankful for and miss Ben Day.

I was in Ben's class at the beginning of his teaching career which started at Lousiana Tech. To say the least it was a life-altering experience. I've told a thousand stories about Ben and there has never been one that was negative. I was one of two chosen to test out Tech's new MFA in Advertising Design, so I helped start that with Ben. Susie and I rented a house next to Ben and Merry and often babysat for Rand and Alene. Those were truly amazing times in my life and it was great to share so...

Ben was my graphic design instructor at Missouri State. I also had the unique privilege to work along side of him for a short time at an agency in Baton Rouge.
He set me on the path that I have followed thru my life.
He inspired me.
My son's name is Ben.

Ben was my Film Instructor at Missouri State and a great friend. I cherish all the times I spent at his home in Springfield, MO discussing art and life.
I learned so much from him and will miss him dearly. I am so glad I have one of his paintings.
My condolences to Rand and Eileen.

This man changed my life. He became a mentor to me when mentoring wasn't even a word.
I'll never forget and will always be indebted to Ben Day.
michael stelzer
'74 grad of sms

I was fortunate enough to take the last class that Prof. Ben Day taught before retiring and I will never forget the things he taught me. He had the power to transform a page of my scribbles with one or two marks. Thank you, Ben Day, for sharing all that you did.

I always took avid notes in his classes. Everything he taught was rich in meaning and delivered with an earnest heart. To this day I still reflect on how much his instruction meant to me.