Benjamin DAY

DAY, Benjamin Randolph "Ben" II, of Chelsea, Mass., born November 27, 1942, died on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at his home. He was 68. Mr. Day was formerly a resident of Richmond, Va. He was born in Baton Rouge, La., where he grew up and graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1960. He received his bachelor's degree from Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont, Texas, and his Master of Fine Arts degree at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. He taught graphic design and visual communications at Louisiana Tech, Missouri State University, Boston University and Virginia Commonwealth University, where he retired as professor of Communication Arts and Design in 2005. During his tenure at VCU, he co-authored "Typographic Design: Form and Communication," a textbook that continues to be used internationally by design students. Mr. Day served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1966 to 1968. In addition to his professional design work, he was a painter and sculptor, and most recently worked in hand-painted collage. An avid sports fan, he especially enjoyed LSU and Va. Tech football, and the Boston Celtics. Son of the late Benjamin Randolph and Mercedes Friar Day, he leaves his son, Benjamin Randolph "Rand" Day III and his wife, Kelley, of Cincinnati; and his daughter, Alene Meredith Day of Louisville, Ky.; his sisters, Becky Abbott and Sandra Aden, both of Huntsville, Texas, and Ginger McInnis of Gonzales, La.; his brother, Arless Day of Bradenton, Fla.; his granddaughters, Sydney Elizabeth and Sarah Avery Day; and numerous nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. He also leaves his dear friend, Suzanne Perry. He will be missed by the hundreds of students he mentored whose lives were enriched by his love of the visual arts. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 30, at 12 noon, Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 11000 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Casper Cremation of Boston assisted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a scholarship established at Virginia Commonwealth University so that he may continue in spirit his passion for teaching. Send donations to: The Ben Day Memorial Scholarship for Graphic Design, P.O. Box 842519, 325 N. Harrison St., Richmond, Va. 23284.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.