Charles Wesley Day
Des Moines – Peace within through meditation, peace without through peace and social justice action.
Charles Wesley Day, 83, passed away on Friday, March 12th, 2021 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center from complications due to congestive heart failure.
Charlie was born June 24, 1937, in Fargo, North Dakota. In early childhood his family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended Rice Elementary and Callanan Junior High schools, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1956.
Charlie continued his studies at the University of Iowa, and while an undergraduate, wrote for The Daily Iowan, receiving the Conger Reynolds Award in Journalism. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1960 (B.A. with Distinction, in Psychology and Journalism), and earned advanced degrees from U. of I. in Clinical Psychology in 1962 (M.A.) and 1964 (Ph.D.).
His professional life was involved in the private practice of psychotherapy, psychology, consultation, and teaching in Los Angeles, CA; Des Moines, Iowa; Laguna Beach, CA; Mumbai, India; and Chiang Mai, Thailand. Most recently, he practiced at the Des Moines Child and Adolescent Guidance Center.
In 1994, Charlie founded the Des Moines Meditation group. He taught meditation as a way to grow psychologically and spiritually, and Buddhism as a way of life and philosophy compatible with all religions. Many central Iowa meditators participated in his classes and retreats through the meditation group, as well as in courses on mindfulness offered through DMPS Community Education. For over 50 years he was a student of Buddhism, and studied spiritual and mystical traditions in Japan, Thailand, India and the U.S. He was a wise, humorous, challenging and compassionate teacher and guide.
After retiring in 1998, Charlie was active in Des Moines Valley Friends Quaker Meetings; Contemplative Alliance—Global Peace Initiative of Women; the Friends House, Inc. Board; Iowa Peace Monument Committee Board; Ecumenical Peace Committee of Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Friendship of Reconciliation Delegation to Israel and Palestine; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Board; American Friends Peace Education Committee; and Stop the Arms Race Political Action Committee, as well as in Democratic politics.
In 2000, he formed a meditation group at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women in Mitchellville, Iowa and led weekly meetings and occasional retreats at the facility. Charlie provided help as a crisis phone-line volunteer after the Oklahoma City bombing, and later served as a mental health volunteer in New York City following the 9/11/01 World Trade Center attack. For his work, he was honored with a “Heroes of the Heartland Award” from the American Red Cross.
For over 20 years Charlie attended monthly meetings of the Synergy Spiritual Book Group and the Talent, Limited drama group, and weekly get-togethers of the Vegetarian Dinner Group, which he fondly referred to as “The Weed-Eaters”. He was also a regular participant in the DMARC Monday morning book study group. Over his lifetime he was a world traveler, and journeyed to Europe, Mexico, Russia, China, Egypt, Turkey, the Caribbean Islands, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Israel, Palestine, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
Charlie’s loving and generous nature allowed him to give freely of his time, talents, and resources; his family, his friends, his favorite causes–and complete strangers– were grateful beneficiaries.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Myrle Day; his sisters Patricia Day Gibson and Jacquelyn Day Kollings; and his brother-in-law, Tom Kollings.
Surviving are his niece, Jennifer Groh and his nephews: Kevin Kaupp, Jonathan Gibson, Michael Kollings (wife Carol), Scott Kollings (wife Jenifer), and David Kollings. Also surviving are their children: Megan Tell (husband Brett), Jenna Brownlee (husband Jack), Erin Kollings, (husband Justin Darling), Jessica Simo (husband Matthew), Kelli Kollings (husband Benjamin), Jacob Sutherland (wife Ashley), Matthew Groh, Olivia Day, Jack Kollings, Luke Kollings: great-grand-nephews, Mason and Evan Tell, Ben Brownlee, Grayson Sutherland; great-grand nieces, Elle Brownlee, Loretta and Noa Darling, Wesley and Eleanor Simo.
There will be a “Celebration of Life” planned for Charlie in early Summer 2021
As a gesture of remembrance, wherever you are, give $5 to someone you see on the street, one of Charlie’s signature acts of generosity.
Rest in peace, Charlie.