Daniel Sargent Cheever

Dr. Cheever was my advisor and professor at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a gifted teacher who made arcane topics comprehensible and who spurred us on with his enthusiasm, intelligence and wit. I gave him the student's ultimate compliment: I took every course he offered.

Dr. Cheever had a long, wonderful life--and he deserved it. He was a gem.

Truly one of the great men I have known, Dan brought warmth and careful, caring attention to all of our interactions. He was unfailingly kind and unflaggingly interested in what others had to say. As a gifted storyteller, his intelligence, sense of humor, and adventurous spirit made him great company.

I will miss the strength of his gentlemanly presence, his heartfelt singing, and the goodwill he spread so freely. It has been an honor to know him.

Dan Cheever supported and encouraged me in the leadership of Arlington Street Church; his elegance, brilliance, and selflessness is still an inspiration to me.

Dan was a delight, someone others routinely referred to as a gentleman. He was endless patient with those less bright than he — nearly everyone. I served with him the two years he chaired the ASC board and followed him. I have no doubt that he literally saved the church in its grimmest hours. More than anyone I have known, he lived every day in two spirits, of true Christianity and of social activism. We are all better off for his living among us.

I remember Dan well from his years at GSPIA, where my husband Joe Coffey was his colleague. May and I were committed members of the GSPIA Wives' group, and there were many wonderful evenings at the Cheevers' house in Shadyside -- I still think of them whenever I drive past. I'm glad that they both had good long lives. All good wishes to their children!

To the Cheever family - your dad was a very special person in so many arenas - I was blessed to know him and his beloved May via my employment at the Arlington Street Church in the early 1990s. They hosted many special personal events for church members in their home in additional to all they did for ASC and UUism - not to mention his outstanding role in the creation of the United Nations. When we are called to dream big - Dan is our inspiration. 94 years of growth, change and making a...

Dan, Olivia, and Holly -
I am so glad that I had the privilege of knowing Dan. He told wonderful stories of UU and Arlington Street history and (very occasionally) of his own life. He brought humor and wisdom to many church meetings and always was ready to reach out and help others. Our thoughts are with you and your families.
Holly and Tori