Obituary of Robert Edward Day

Robert Edward Day Jr. 83, of Silver Spring, Maryland, husband of Diana M. Day, died peacefully on June 24, at Friends House in Sandy Spring, surrounded by his family. Bob was a career diplomat for the U.S. Department of State with Embassy postings in East Germany, Poland, Yugoslavia and Iran. Born in Evanston, IL on June 22, 1934, he was the son of Robert E. Day and Ruth Silvernale Day. He graduated from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, VA. Following his graduation from Cornell University, he was a Fulbright Scholar at Tubingam University in Germany. Crew was his lifelong passion. After his retirement, he recognized the Anacostia was a rowable river and spearheaded a youth rowing program. With five others, he created the Organization for Anacostia Rowing and Sculling. He was instrumental in acquiring a coach and donations of boats, docks and ramps. With his guidance inner-city youth from Frederick Douglass Jr. High School and J. Hayden Johnson Junior High School learned to row. In 1992, they participated in their first regatta. Today, the program has grown into the Anacostia Community Boathouse with special programs for youth, seniors, the handicapped and survivors of breast cancer. Hundreds enjoy the river sports daily in dragon boats, outrigger canoes, single and team sculls. Bob is survived by his daughter Tatyana Joan Day of Silver Spring; his step children Anne Herbert and Jeff Herbert (Gina); and step grandchildren Tanner Herbert and Elisbeth Herbert of Wooster, OH; Lea White (Joe); step great-granddaughter Rose White of College Park, MD; his brother Loren Allen Day (Mary Jo) of New York City; and his sister Catherine Day Fern (Paul) of Las Cruces, NM. He was predeceased by his son Mark Day. Bob was an active member of the Cornell Club of Washington, DACOR, Anacostia Community Boathouse Association, Friends of Peirce Mill, Casey Trees, Sigma Phi Fraternity, Capital Rowing Club and the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 14, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, One Chevy Chase Circle NW, Washington D.C. A reception at the church will follow the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Anacostia Community Boathouse Association, P.O. Box 15349, Washington, D.C. 20003 Cornell Rowing, Teagle Hall, Attn. Chris Kerber, 512 Campus Road, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853 Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, One Chevy Chase Circle NW. Washington, D.C. 20015. Rapp Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.