Richard Earl Day

Columbia, South Carolina - A memorial service for Richard Earl Day, 94, will be held at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Dean Day passed away January 11, 2024. Born in Saint Joseph, MO, he was the son of the late William E. and Geneva C. Day.

An accomplished pianist, Richard loved teaching, boating (especially sailing), travelling, cars, bridge, and was an avid audiophile.

He is survived by his son, William E. Day II and Debra A. Day, wife of William, as well as grandchildren William E. Day III, Annie Day Bame, E. Wilson Bame II, husband of Annie, and great-grandson, E. Owen Bame.

He is predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Melissa B. Day, Thomas E. Day, his son, Michael B. and Kelsey M. Day, his grandchildren.

Dean Day graduated in 1951 from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton Business School) and the University of Michigan Law School in 1957. He served as a Lt. in the Navy during the Korean War (1952-1955). Prior to teaching he worked as an attorney in Chicago and Washington D.C. He was a professor and the dean at the University of South Carolina Law School (1975-1999) and a professor at Ohio State University Law School (1964-1975); University of North Carolina Law School (1961-1964).

Dean Day was also a visiting professor at George Washington, University of Virginia, South Hampton England law schools. While at the University of North Carolina Day, he worked with the U.S. Commission Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Office of Education helping to create desegregation laws. While at Ohio State University he served for 8 years as commissioner for the Ohio National Conference on Uniform State Laws and for 5 years served as course director for the Ohio Legal Center.

While at U.S.C., he was named the John Williams Thurmond Distinguished Professor and was Chairman of the S.C. Appellate Defense Council, S.C. Commission on Intellectual Property and Unfair Trader Practices Law. Dean Day also edited and wrote numerous legal books and articles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation at https://give.epilepsy.com/