It is with great sadness to share that longtime CCS employee Dan Severson passed away on Saturday, Dec. 4, at the age of 79. Dan, a member of the CCS class of 1960, dedicated much of his life to the district. For more than 30 years, Dan served the district in a number of capacities, including science teacher, secondary principal, superintendent and coach.
“Dan Severson was and will always be a pillar in the Cambridge community,” said former coach, teacher and athletic director Deb Lauver. “His life started here, and although some of his adventures took him far away, he returned to Cambridge to live out his life. He was dedicated to CCS where he began as a student. Those who knew him understood he didn’t hold back his feelings and would passionately speak his mind. Even if you did not agree with him, you knew that Dan was speaking from his heart and he was upfront with all those he came in contact with. His love for Cambridge was evident in everything he did. He will be sorely missed.”
In 1964, after graduating from the University of Maine, Dan enrolled in ROTC and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. Dan received numerous awards and decorations for his military service, including the Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, the second highest award bestowed by the Army. He has three Bronze Stars for valor, an Army commendation and two Purple Hearts.
Dan’s Army career lasted 23 years and spanned many areas including infantry, paratrooper, pathfinder and ranger. He was a Lieutenant in Command of a platoon from the 173rd airborne brigades in Vietnam. After signing for an extended Vietnam tour in 1967, Dan was seriously wounded. He was evacuated by helicopter and spent over a year in a hospital. Following stays in six different hospitals, including Walter Reed, Dan returned to active duty.
When Dan retired from the Army in 1988, he wanted to return to Cambridge. He secured a position as an earth science teacher. When the CCS high school principal job became available in 1996, Dan was the right man in the right spot at the right time. Dan served as high school principal until 2008, where he then took on the role as superintendent for a year until the district permanently filled the role.
When Dan was retiring as a district employee in 2009, he was featured in the yearbook. What he wrote perfectly encapsulates how he felt about the district and the Cambridge community:
I was born in Cambridge. I was raised in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge High School. I owe all that I have become in my life not only to my parents, my family and my community, but also to Cambridge Central School. Without my start in life at our school, there would have been no college education, no military career and no career as a teacher or administrator for me. I feel my time working in our school is just a ‘partial payback’ for the start that CCS gave me nearly 50 years ago.
Calling hours will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 4-7 p.m. at the Ackley, Ross & Gariepy Funeral Home in Cambridge. The funeral service will take place on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 11:30 a.m. at the Cambridge United Presbyterian Church. View Dan’s obituary.
Friends and former colleagues remember Dan
‘When I think about Mr. Severson, there is no better quote than that of Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘Man in the Arena.’ He epitomized the essence of what it means to be valiant, courageous and a man that had ‘spent himself in a worthy cause.’ His dedication was as a husband, father, teacher, soldier, friend, leader and mentor to many. His service to family, country and community can never be duplicated. I thank him for all that he has taught me as a student in both my academic and professional career. A mentor like no other, I will forever regard Mr. Severson as a man that was direct with his expectations and yet compassionate to those in need. ‘…his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.’ Mr. Severson will be forever in our hearts and the legacy that is excellence at CCS.”
-Caroline Goss, secondary principal
“Dan Severson served our country when that was not a popular thing to do. He was a Ranger, and lived his life by the Ranger Code. Dan and I were colleagues at Cambridge Central School over 30 years ago. He had a great deal of pride being associated with CCS. He always held himself and others to a higher standard and did not hesitate to make difficult decisions. Dan and I might have had different methods, but our goal was always to do what was in the best interest of the students. I will miss our conversations; his “war” stories, both when he was in the service and life; his smile; but most of all, his chuckle as he entered my office when I was superintendent and would say, ‘I bet you don’t want to see me.’”
-Vince Canini, former superintendent of schools
“Dan was highly accomplished in all facets of life; loving husband, father, grandfather and brother; a fiercely loyal soldier to his men and country; a great teacher, school leader and coach to his beloved Cambridge students; and an amazing friend and mentor. I will miss him dearly.”
-Ken Facin, former elementary school principal and former Hoosick Falls CSD superintendent
“I didn’t have the good fortune to work alongside Dan Severson, but I did have the honor of chatting with him on multiple occasions about anything from football to his military service. Mr. Severson had an air of gravitas that commanded respect as a fellow leader, educator and family man. He was a pillar of the Cambridge community whose impact will forever have a ripple effect in our district.”
-Dr. Douglas Silvernell, superintendent of schools
“I had lots of laughs with Dan. He was a great mentor to me for many years. It was an honor to know him and I’ll miss his friendly waves and long talks and coffee at Stewart’s. Thank you for being my friend.”
-Julie Duggan, high school art teacher
“Dan was an excellent principal who cared about his school, the students and the teachers he led. His standards were high. I appreciated his strong presence in the hallways of CCS. I knew of and respected his heroism in Vietnam. On the very few days Dan wasn’t in school, his presence was sorely missed. Dan had a sense of humor which he surely needed on difficult days during school. Marjory and I knew we could always count on Dan no matter what crisis existed. Dan was a gentleman. None of us can live forever and few will leave a legacy of bravery and service behind. Dan’s strength and life force as a coach, teacher, principal, husband, friend and father will remain in the hearts and minds of those who knew and appreciated him. Rest In Peace Dan Severson, a son of Cambridge, NY. We honor your memory.”
-Irene Baldwin, former English teacher