Dan Regalado, Photo Teacher, Arlington Martin High School
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were: any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.
John Donne, Meditation 17
Arlington Martin High School and the surrounding community just suffered a devastating loss. Young Dan Regalado, a much- beloved photo teacher, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving his colleague wife and young children, along with a vast network of students, educators and friends. All of those experiencing this loss know the pain expressed centuries ago by John Donne–the death of another diminishes me. A part of us has passed with the passing of Dan. I feel that I met him yesterday, though more than fifteen years have elided during which I was privileged to know and work with him. I’ll never forget how he relieved my stressful feelings of inadequacy while limping my art history students through the theories and great works of Steichen and Stieglitz. When days were dark, Dan was always smiling and upbeat. He had a way of making everyone around him better.
Rest in peace, Dan. You made this world a better place, and we’ll always be grateful for how you improved us.
Recollections 54 The Art of David Tripp 
June 14, 2014 at 2:33 am |
So sorry to hear of this loss. Dan sounds like a wonderful man and he will leave a hole in many lives.
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June 14, 2014 at 10:04 am |
Thank you for writing that. Dan was unique, and no one will do what he did.
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June 14, 2014 at 8:43 am |
I am in shock! He always was such a force for the good at MHS. This is an incredible loss for his beautiful family and for the MHS family.
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June 14, 2014 at 10:04 am |
Thank you. This is very difficult to absorb for so many now.
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June 14, 2014 at 9:07 am |
Is there any info on the funeral?
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June 14, 2014 at 10:05 am |
I haven’t found any details yet. I guess it’s probably till too soon.
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June 14, 2014 at 9:50 am |
we are never prepared for the news of unexpected deaths. dan’s memory will live on through all of those who loved him. it’s our loss that we did not know him, but you shared a beautiful tribute to a very special man. i am so sorry that many of you are grieving.
z
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June 14, 2014 at 10:08 am |
Thank you for writing that, Z. Your words and your work always give me reason to believe.
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June 14, 2014 at 1:52 pm
we’re all here to help each other along.. thankfully we don’t all hit stumbling blocks and surprises at the same time.
z
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June 14, 2014 at 1:54 pm
You have no idea what your friendship has come to mean to me. I’m sorry you live so far away. Your life and your creations fill me with inspiration. You are a gift to this deprived world.
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June 14, 2014 at 3:03 pm
wow david – thank you! had i stayed in one place, my art might have advanced much more by now, but i would not have gained such a grounded insight into the world and the role that we all play.
it all comes down to: we are here to learn.. we are here to teach; we are here to help each other along… most of the time ‘ego’ gets in the way, and we fall short of our own expectations….
but isn’t it wonderful to find our wings and soar from the ashes?
few people truly understand the psyche of an artist… we need periods of incubation, and we need interaction with others, especially others who accept us just as we are.
you’re doing well and are mentoring many more than you realize!
z
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June 14, 2014 at 3:12 pm
I really needed to read your words at this juncture in my life, thank you. I know your feelings of thinking your art might have “advanced” had you stayed in one place, but you got it right when you added that you “gained such a grounded insight into the world.” I believe the same about myself–had I stayed with my art, I would no doubt have advanced technically, but I feel that I would have had nothing to express, no life, no blood. I like how things turned out, but didn’t really come to this realization until now, when you forced me to think it out. You have great ideas here. Thank you for sharing them (I don’t say that lightly).
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June 14, 2014 at 10:02 pm
“had I stayed with my art, I would no doubt have advanced technically, but I feel that I would have had nothing to express, no life, no blood. ” ..
you’ve nailed it!
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June 14, 2014 at 12:38 pm |
I am going to miss you so much Mr. Reg, it seems like only a few weeks ago I got to talk to you in the hallway. You made me laugh so much, I know that I didn’t really pass your class. But I loved going to it because of what an incredible person you are. Rest In Peace, may heaven be filled with Legos.
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June 14, 2014 at 2:23 pm |
David, my heart breaks for Dan’s family, his friends, and all of the countless young people who learned so much from him. I am sorry that you have lost such a special friend.
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June 14, 2014 at 2:29 pm |
Thank you for responding, Carol. Few teachers are capable of casting such a long shadow, and Dan did it in only a few years. Many, many of us feel this profound loss.
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June 14, 2014 at 3:08 pm |
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. People like Dan come into one’s life. They are irreplaceable. One can only thank goodness itself that they have been there to enrich and fulfil the experience of those around them. Keep well yourself David. Keep painting. Had you thought of making a tribute watercolour for the family? Tony
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June 14, 2014 at 3:14 pm |
Thank you for your comforting words, Tony. Yes, people who live full lives are irreplaceable when they are removed from the community that always expected them to be present. We are all struggling, working through this loss. Thank you for your comfort and your friendship.
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June 14, 2014 at 8:50 pm |
I’m so sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.
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June 14, 2014 at 8:52 pm |
Thank you for reading and caring.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
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June 15, 2014 at 1:32 am |
I have shared this to my personal Facebook and just wanted to share here too as I’ve come across this site. Dan and Tricia are like family to me and this is very hard:
For the last nine months I have thought that being separated from people we love meant letting them go. So I tried to let them go. Every day and move on. It is learning of Dan’s passing last night that I realize I’ve had it wrong all this time. It is not about letting go of people we love but letting go of our hearts and allowing them to break. My heart and I have gone toe to toe this past year and if there’s one thing it has taught me — it is that it refuses to be controlled, tamed or told what to do. It has shown me that it will always win and find a way to be free — that it will allow for nothing to stand between it and what it loves. I remember Tricia telling me the story of when she and Dan first met at the University of Texas while both studying journalism. He asked her out and she wasn’t too sure about him and told him to forget it. But Dan refused to give up so easily and remaining persistent, continued to ask her out. Eventually they would marry, begin their careers side by side teaching photography and journalism to adolescents in the classrooms of Martin High School and even raise a family. Their classrooms were the one space in the entire school where I felt safe, understood and of value. They would each take me on separate journeys to compete in several journalism and photography competitions at the same campus where they met. I would find an opportunity there to attend college in California when academics had offered me no hope. Dan once told us that in his college years he was so full of passion and determination for his art that he would bound himself up the campus stairs, two steps at a time, chanting in his thoughts that he would be “The best photographer that ever lived”. Over time, that goal changed and evolved, but not because he gave up — he just redefined value as he grew and met the love of his life. We are a lot alike in that sense because at the time I met Dan, there was something inside of me that was ready to set sail and take on the world. In some ways, I have — but as I grow, I redefine value and focus on what holds true as I pursue new goals like self-care, relationships and youth mentoring. He and his wife believed in me, shed light and opened a door at a time in my life when there was none and it startles even myself to look back and witness what I have done with that opportunity. I ran with it like a kite off the string and I hope Dan knows was a significant piece of the story he is. Dan was a wise man because love is the best endeavor. Dan gave to those around him genuinely and passionately. He is loved and taught me well. For that, I am indebted. It is today that I set my heart free to break open with love for Dan and for his family. I can only hope to continue impacting others lives as they have mine.
Erika Weeks | Class 2002
Graphic Designer at Apple Computer for 8 1/2 Years in Cupertino, CA. I live and reside in San Francisco.
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June 15, 2014 at 8:21 am |
Erika, your testimony is so heart-felt and moving. I cannot thank you enough for caring enough to share it with the rest of us. I wish you strength and supportive love as you move forward in absorbing this, grateful that you have found already so much postive meaning in the rich memories.
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June 15, 2014 at 10:27 am
Thank you David. All the same to you. I remember your name. Either we had met at one of the competition trips or I just remember Dan speaking of you. They live next door to my mother and she saw him two weeks ago. She said he was speaking about how proud he is of me and it just makes me break down to even think about it. He always used to say “We planted a seed and you grew into an Apple tree”. I will be reaching out to Tricia and my family is offering her family support. Please use my email if you find there is anything other we can do. All my best and much love from San Francisco. -E
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June 15, 2014 at 11:45 am
I’m glad to be remembered too, Erika. Thank you for reaching out to Dan’s family. They need you.
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June 16, 2014 at 1:30 pm |
David, thank you for this page to allow us to pay tribute to a great teacher and man. His influence will not be measured for generations. My granddaughter is Erika and we also live down the street from the Regalados. They are such a wonderful family. We would see them riding bikes and playing and always so happy. Our heart breaks for Tricia, but she is made of good stuff and will survive this. Our prayers and love go out to her. I saw their influence on Erika and her life first hand. How they gave a shy girl confidence to believe in her talent and abilities. They gave her goals and dreams and inspiration. What more can you ask for from a teacher. They were both probably the greatest influence she had in her young life. It takes a village to raise a child and we thank the Regalados for being part of our village. We are blessed. Mr. Reg is in the Lord’s care now and I know he will be greatly rewarded for all he has accomplished. Thank you Regalados. We are blessed by you and we pray God’s peace and comfort for you in this time of sadness.
Jerry Kay Weeks
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June 16, 2014 at 1:34 pm |
Jerry, thank you for posting this tribute. Great teachers such as Dan and Tricia could never receive enough words of praise for their daily sacrifices. And thank you for introducing yourself to me. Your words are very much appreciated and should be shared.
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June 27, 2014 at 12:55 pm |
I’ve only just now seen this tribute from you. The words “thank you” are not sufficient. I know how much respect Daniel had for you as both a teacher and a person and it means so much to me that you’d write about him on your blog.
We were — all of us — so lucky to have had him in our lives. But it makes it that much harder because we miss him so much. Thank you again for your words and for being a friend.
-Trish Regalado
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June 27, 2014 at 1:40 pm |
Daniel and you have always been a friend to me. Thank you for all you have done to make me feel I belong at Martin. And thank you for reading the tribute–of course Daniel lived it out; all I had to do was take dictation. There was nothing for me to invent when it came time to record what he has done for all of us.
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