Dan was born in Russell, Kansas on November 7, 1952 to Charlotte and Harley Chegwidden. After graduating from Russell High School, he went on to attend the University of Kansas where he pledged Phi Delta Theta and went on to earn a BA in journalism, public relations and advertising. He met the love of his life, Janet McRae, during these college years and they married shortly after graduation. He began his career with Josten’s American Yearbook Company and fell in love with the idea of working in higher education.
In 1990, Dan accepted his dream job at Michigan State University as the Director of what is known today as the Office of Gift Planning. A pioneer in this department, having served as its Senior Director for its entirety, Dan became a highly respected mentor, colleague and friend to many. Throughout Dan’s 28-year career, he helped to raise $381 million for various departments and programs within MSU.
He was an avid supporter of MSU athletics and served as a member of the official press box, working the play clock at home football games for 20 years. He also assisted at the scorer’s table for the men’s and women’s home basketball games for almost 15 years and could often be seen on television in that capacity.
Dan also proudly served in the military. He graduated from ROTC at the University of Kansas and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army in 1974. He retired from the Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel after 27 years of service.
Above all, Dan was a family man with a heart of gold and a larger than life sense of humor that often captivated a room. He was happiest in the company of his wife of 46 years, Janet, his children and their spouses, and his 4 beloved grandchildren. He was a man of many quirks; too many to list and he will be deeply missed.
Surviving Dan are his wife, Janet Chegwidden; son, Andrew (Emily) Chegwidden; daughter, Audrey (Ryan) Jones; grandchildren, Molly, Nolan, Jacob & Joanna; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Charlotte Chegwidden, his sister Connie Pat, and brother Don.
A funeral service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in East Lansing on Saturday, January 22nd at 11am (Eastern time). For those unable to attend, the funeral will be live-streamed on the All Saints YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/c/AllSaintsEpiscopalChurchEastLansingMI
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 21st from 3-6 p.m. at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI as well as 1 hour before the start of the funeral at All Saints Episcopal Church. Mask required for all events.
In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations made to a charity of your choosing in honor of Dan.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Chegwidden family.
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