Jon Roby Day joined the Class of 1960 from West Caldwell, N.J. in July of 1956. While at the Academy Jon became known to his classmates as a person who would listen as a close friend and reply with an ever-present smile. At the Academy, he enjoyed playing bridge and the piano–his rendition of "Autumn Leaves" was second to none, and he would occasionally entertain the troops on Saturday night at Arnold Hall or the local pub. His main interest though, prior to April of our senior year–when they were legal, was hiding his '54 Ford from the Academy officials. Jon graduated as a navigator and joined Tactical Air Command to fly C-130s for the next four years.

While stationed at Langley AFB, VA he met his wife, Brenda. They married in 1965 and began a family, consisting of Mark, who preceded Jon in death by some 10 years, and daughter Lisa Day Burbaugh, currently of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

After several long night hours of soul-searching Jon made the decision to forego his Air Force career, follow a life-long dream, and take on four-plus years of poverty and sacrifice with his young wife, Brenda, to be a med student and intern. He entered the University of Virginia Medical School in 1965. Graduating in 1969, he served as an intern for the Panama Canal Company at Gorgas Hospital, Panama Canal, Panama. He returned as a resident in Ophthalmology at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. Dr. Day then established what would be his permanent practice as a board-certified Ophthalmologist in Sanford and Orange City Florida for the next 25 years. It was no surprise to those of us who knew him that he would quickly become recognized as a brilliant, respected eye surgeon who would touch thousands of his patient's lives in a gentle, positive, and caring manner.

After retirement he became a "gentleman farmer" raising chickens–hens–for their lovely, turquoise, eggs–still warm with skid marks–which he lovingly shared with his friends. His little "chicken girls" lived in his "coop de minimum" which he designed and built himself. Those who knew him soon became aware that when visited by Jon and Brenda, they could expect to receive a welcome gift of eggs rather than the usual gift of wine or flowers.

His politics were somewhat to the right of Rush, and his religious beliefs somewhat to the right of Billy. As a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church he also attended Markham Woods Presbyterian Church, where he played piano for the children's Bible class and lent his talented voice as a stalwart member of the bass section of the choir.

Daily, Jon could be found on the local bike path as he worked to soften the ravages of the previous mortal sins we all share.

Dr. Jon Roby Day passed away Monday, Nov. 18, 2013 at Central Florida Regional Hospital from complications of cancer–leaving his wife, Brenda; daughter, Lisa; and grandson Kyle Eastman. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. As we go about tallying up our own lives, we–his classmates–will all miss him but can find peace in sharing a small part of his life and the contributions he made to our nation and the society he served so admirably.

God Speed, Jon.

(Andi Biancur, with input from other classmates)