Robert Henry Day

Robert Henry “Hank” Day, 73, of Cheyenne died April 2 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. He was born on October 26, 1943 in Omaha, Nebraska to Robert Wilson and Wilhelmina Day. The family moved to Denver, Colorado and made their way to Cheyenne in the 1950s where he and his Dad spent many hours fishing on Crystal and Granite Lakes.
Hank graduated from East High School in 1962. After graduation he attended the University of Wyoming where he received with a bachelor’s degree in structural engineering. While at UW his younger sister, Louise, convinced him to go on a blind date with one of her sorority sisters, Mary Jo Hager.
The pair hit it off marrying January 29, 1967. Their 50-year love affair began in Cheyenne where Hank worked for the State of Wyoming and their daughters Mary and Barbara were born. Always an over-achiever, Hank moved his family to Laramie where he obtained his master’s degree at UW and worked at Banner Engineering.
He always had a gift for helping people and decided he wanted to become a university professor, which lead the family to Ames, Iowa; where he taught physics and engineering while working toward a doctorate degree.
In 1983, they moved back to Cheyenne to be close to family. Hank taught physics, engineering and mathematics at Laramie County Community College before retiring to complete his true calling as a small business owner. He and Mary Jo owned and operated First Glass Images where they created beautiful works of art that brighten many homes, businesses and churches in Cheyenne. Always the teacher, they shared their craft by teaching stained glass classes. They were honored to be chosen to restore the stained glass panels above both the House and Senate chambers at the Wyoming State Capitol Building.
Never idle, Hank was always busy with a project. His quirky sense of humor was enjoyed by friends and family; who he valued over everything. Some of his hobbies included fly fishing, model airplanes, woodworking, jewelry making, and gardening, just to name a few. The Days were involved in many clubs including Cheyenne Field Archers where Hank served as president and Mary Jo as treasurer. They spent many afternoons during the summer at the archery range at Curt Gowdy State Park where they instilled a love of the sport with their grandson, Ryan.
Hank is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Mary Jo, daughters Mary Louise (Michael) Quast, Barbara Jo (Michael) Barber, grandsons Ryan DeVries, Curran (Kayla) Quast, Cameron Quast and granddaughters McKailyn Quast, Delaeni Quast, and great-granddaughter, Nora Quast, sister Louise (Robert) Bengston, brother Jim Day and numerous nieces and nephews.
Husband, Dad and Grandpa, you are so loved and will be sorely missed. We will think of your quiet genius and talent every time we see a ray of sunshine through one of your works of art.
A private family reception will be held at a later date.