Dayhoff

Vernon David Dayhoff
April 16, 1923
December 11, 2021

Vernon David Dayhoff, 98, of Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away December 11, 2021. He was born in York County, PA, on April 16, 1923, and a previous residence of Colorado since 1959.

He was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. Pistol shooting competition was a successful endeavor in his life. Besides being an expert shootist, he was also shooting instructor while stationed at the Air Force Academy during his military career. On the GI Bill, he received his bachelor's from Western Colorado University; his master's from Cornell. Vernon was a career high school biology teacher at Mitchell High School, Colorado Springs, CO. Vernon also had a passion for ornithology. He was an avid bird watcher and accomplished his life goal of logging over 3,000 bird sightings. He also loved to travel, and he and his wife, Georgia, made more than 48 trips to 43 countries including the North Pole and Antarctica.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, William and Verna (Nace) Dayhoff; siblings, Harry W. Dayhoff and wife, Regina, Gertrude L. Stottlemyer and husband, Raymond, Donald E. Dayhoff and wife, Larue, Ina M. Dayhoff; wives, Margaret (Rogers), and Georgia (Nighswander); and son-in-law, Gerald L. Keyser Jr.

He is survived by his sisters, Nancy L. Fake and husband, Paul, of Red Lion, PA, and Joan E. Fry and husband, John, of Port Royal, PA; daughters, Brenda D. Keyser (Dayhoff) of Tempe, AZ, and Denise (Dayhoff) Caughern and husband, Jeff, of Greenbrier, AR; step-daughters, Debi (McCollom) Wangsness and husband, Michael, of Colorado Springs, CO, Tari McCollom of Grand Junction, CO, and, Becky (McCollom) Stockton and husband, Bill, of Lake County, CA. Vernon had 25 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; friends; colleagues; and acquaintances.

A celebration of his life may be made by memorials in his name to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, or The National Audubon Society, Inc., in lieu of flowers.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Dec. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Vernon Dayhoff

5 Entries

Jim Scifres

December 30, 2021

I was saddened to hear of the passing of one of my favorite teachers at Mitchell High School. I had Mr. Dayhoff for biology my sophomore year. I have many fond memories of Mr. Dayhoff and the Hawaiian shirts he would often wear. Mr. Dayhoff made biology interesting. One of the things that impressed me the most about him was that he gave a biology pre-test the first week of class and then gave a post test (the same test) the last week of class. What a great way to show progress, improvement, and see what you learned in class. He is the only teacher that I every had give a pre-test in all of my years K through 12. He will be missed. He truly loved teaching and cared about his students. My condolences to his family.

Josie Tuttle-Trimnal

December 27, 2021

My deepest condolences to Mr. Dayhoff's entire family. He was one of my favorite teachers and instilled a love of science in me. He also taught incredible study skills that benefited me throughout my college career. I'm incredibly saddened to hear of his passing. Praying for peace and comfort for all who loved and knew him. Mitchell High School Class of 1990

Tony Hutton

December 26, 2021

I had Mr Dayhoff for a year of Biology at Mitchell (class of 1990). I always remember he loved to wear green and we dreaded the days he wore black since that meant we were about to have a pop quiz or test. He had a love of biology and truly brought an excitement to the class like few teachers truly did. He will really be missed.

Mark Hardy - Mitchell 83'

December 26, 2021

My sincere condolences to Vernon's entire family. Everyone probably knows a few people who truly influenced what kind of person they have become. Vernon was that person to me. He took his career seriously, and was a very competent and respected High School Biology teacher. I could tell that he really enjoyed what he was teaching. We had fun in his class, but also learned so much. So many great memories from his classes, still seem like they were yesterday. What an interesting life he had. Thank you so much Vernon! I still haven't forgotten, it's pronounced "Zoe-ology, not Zoo-ology".

John Delaney

December 26, 2021

The passing of an era continues. I had Mr. Dayhoff for one semester in my Jr. year of HS at Mitchell HS (class of 78) and he was always an entertaining teacher. He and I used to discuss topics out side of biology that was his "other" passion (ballistics). He will be missed.

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