Robert Dais

Robert Dais, longtime Siskiyou County resident, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, December 6, 2014. Robert was born on May 7, 1921 in Red Bluff, and was 93 years old at the time of his death. His family moved to McCloud in 1925 where his father took work with the McCloud River Railroad. He attended McCloud schools, and graduated from McCloud High School in 1939. He served with the United States Navy during World War II. At the end of the war, Robert entered college at Chico State University, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In 1956, he earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Chico State University, and further continued his studies at Columbia University in New York. Robert returned to McCloud where he began his teaching career at McCloud Elementary. In 1954, he and his family moved to Yreka where he took a position with the Siskiyou County Office of Education. Robert initially served as a financial and administrative consultant to Siskiyou County schools and later held the position of Assistant County Superintendent of Schools for thirteen (13) years. In 1973 he was appointed Siskiyou County Superintendent of Schools and served in that position for twelve (12) years until his retirement in 1985. With a dedicated service of 37 years to the students and fellow educators of Siskiyou County, Robert was instrumental in many of the educational reforms that are in place today. Robert collaborated with author and fellow educator Stan Balfrey’s published work, “History of the Schools of Siskiyou County” which serves as one of the most accurate historical resources available today on education in Siskiyou County. Robert was an avid golfer and would travel to McCloud twice a week to golf with his McCloud friends. He enjoyed going to the Coast in his motorhome and crabbing and would look forward to his annual fishing trip to Juneau, Alaska. Robert served on the Board of Directors of the McCloud Golf Club and the Siskiyou Opportunity Center; was a member of Phi Delta Kappa Honor Fraternity, and a life member of the California Teachers’ Association and the National Educators’ Association. He also served 9 years on the State Council of Education, chairing the committee for 7 years. He is survived by his three children, Robin (Ray) Watson, Lani (Allen) Milovich of Yreka, and Robert (Karen) Dais of Underwood, Washington. He has six grandchildren, Cyndi Fitzgerald, Stacie Maynard, Jason Cairns, Kendra Randall, Ryan Dais, and Christine Cooke, and thirteen great grandchildren. In 1976, Robert married Mildred Collins, who has shared life with him for the past 38 years. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Emma Dais, and sisters, Melvina Kirk and Isabel Dais. A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at the Yreka RV Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097.

Robert Dais

May 7, 1921 - December 6, 2014