VILLANOVA, Pa. - Dan Regan, who retired last year after a long and distinguished career as a professor at Villanova and the Faculty Athletics Representative to the Athletic Department, passed away on Saturday evening. Regan, 80, first came to Villanova in 1966 and spent a half-century as a full-time professor. The resident of nearby Wayne, Pa. passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family following a brief illness.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 21 from 6-8 p.m. at 366 West Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, and on Thursday, December 22 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the St. Thomas of Villanova Church on campus. The morning visitation will be followed by a funeral mass beginning at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charity in Dan Regan’s name.

Regan made immense contributions to Villanova University during his career. He was the founding director of the Center for Peace and Justice Education, the first Faculty Athletic Representative and a Lindback Award winning teacher among his most notable accomplishments. Regan taught thousands of students during his 50-year career, including a course this Fall semester following his retirement as the Faculty Athletic Representative. He was remembered for being a brilliant philosopher with a remarkable memory, and for his unfailing kindness and generosity.

Regan was the loving husband of the late Dorothy Foley Regan, the cherished father of Paula Regan, Daniel Regan (Cathy), Matthew Regan (Sarah), and Katherine Lenahan (David); and the loving “Pop-Pop” of eight grandchildren. He is survived by siblings John M. Regan, Richard E. Regan and C. Virginia Finn, and was predeceased by his brother, James J. Regan III.

Born in Philadelphia on August 5, 1936, Regan was the son of James J. Regan, Jr. and Virginia (Manning) Regan. He attended St. Matthias School in Bala Cynwyd and St. Thomas More High School. He remained a loyal “Golden Bear” alumnus, attending reunions and the annual Communion Breakfast. Dan attended St. Michael’s College within the University of Toronto, where he played football and basketball and majored in Philosophy, and held positions in debate and student government.

It was during his first year at St. Mike’s that he met Dorothy Foley, also a “Yank,” from Oak Park, Ill. He and Dorothy married in 1959, and while Dan earned a Master’s Degree in Philosophy at Villanova and began his teaching career at Archmere Academy, the two began to build a life together. Dan taught at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., before arriving at Villanova in 1966 as a junior faculty member. He was inducted to the Villanova University Varsity Club Hall of Fame, and was recognized with the 2016 Nova Nation Award.

Regan always felt that he belonged in the classroom, but was just as comfortable pitching for the faculty softball team, belting out hymns at mass, and coaching his sons in youth league baseball. He knew every word to “Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder,” had season tickets to Opera Philadelphia, and – although he missed his Philadelphia A’s – he faithfully cheered on the Phillies, the Eagles and every Villanova Wildcat.

Regan was a parishioner of St. Katharine of Siena and belonged to Martin’s Dam Club, where he loved to golf with friends.