A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday to remember the life of a longtime East Chapel Hill High School principal who recently died.

Dave Thaden began his career in Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools as an English teacher at Guy B. Phillips Junior High School after graduating from the University of Michigan in 1979.

He went on to serve in various roles before taking over as the inaugural principal for East Chapel Hill High School when it opened in 1996. He remained at East Chapel Hill High through the graduating class of 2009.

“David nurtured East from its initial enrollment of 605 students into a perennial top-100 high school nationally with a student body that eventually exceeded 1,800,” according to Thaden’s obituary. “His passion for developing and empowering his talented teaching staff fostered an ideal learning environment and established an institution beloved by teachers, parents and students alike.”

Thaden went on to teach at the North Carolina School of Science and Math from 2010 through 2018 following his retirement from CHCCS.

Thaden died on May 10 from multiple myeloma. He was 62.

Donations in Thaden’s honor can be made to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

A memorial service will be held on June 8 at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 227 E Rosemary St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, at 11:00am, with a visitation to follow.

Related Stories
‹
CHCCS High Schools Win State Championships in Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer
Two local high schools each took home state championships last weekend. Chapel Hill High School took home the North Carolina 7A championship in women’s lacrosse, while Carrboro High won the 4A championship in women’s soccer. View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram Chapel Hill High won the women’s lacrosse title, its first […]
Local Soccer Player, East Chapel Hill High Schooler Earns Invite to German Training Camp
Cristian Diaz Perez, a sophomore at East Chapel Hill High School, is hoping to attend an exclusive soccer camp in Germany this summer.
2025 Candidate Introductions: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board Of Education
The 2025 race for the CHCCS Board of Education appears to be straightforward, with three candidates for three seats. Hear from each one.
Threat Made Toward Staff Member at McDougle Middle School
A student made a threat toward a staff member at McDougle Middle School in Chapel Hill on Monday, according to an alert sent to families on Tuesday evening. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools confirmed the incident to Chapelboro, and Carrboro Police said a juvenile petition was issued for threats of mass violence on an educational […]
Chapel Hill Resident Taylor Tally Running for CHCCS Board of Education
Chapel Hill resident and Air Force veteran Taylor Tally is joining the crowded race for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. Tally recently graduated with a master’s degree from UNC and lives in Carrboro. “I’ve always had an affinity for public service,” Tally told Chapelboro. “I think this is a great opportunity to […]
Educator Allison Willis Enters CHCCS Board of Education Race
Educator and Chapel Hill resident Allison Willis is entering the race for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. Willis is a former public school teacher and principal and current administrator whose children attend CHCCS. “I care deeply about our public schools,” Willis told Chapelboro. “And I understand the role they play in fostering […]
CHCCS, Orange County Schools Prepare for Class of 2023 Graduations
It is the last week of class for our K-12 school districts in Orange County, which means that graduation for the Class of 2023 is nearly here. Graduating seniors experienced many challenges over their time in high school, including adjustments to the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual learning, but their efforts will pay off this weekend […]
CHCCS Principals of the Year Share Thoughts on the 2022-23 School Year
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Principal of the Year Minnie Goins of Seawell Elementary School and Assistant Principal of the Year Jaimi West of McDougal Middle School stopped by 97.9 The Hill’s studios to chat with Andrew Stuckey on Monday. Goins, West and Stuckey discussed the highlights and challenges that defined this past school year in […]
CHCCS, Orange County Schools Closing Early Thursday due to Hurricane Dorian
The possibility of inclement weather from Hurricane Dorian has prompted Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools to close schools three hours early on Thursday. Chatham County Schools also announced Wednesday night the district will close schools two hours early Thursday. Durham Public Schools are closed all day Thursday. All Durham Tech […]
Memorial for Longtime East Chapel Hill High Principal Planned for Saturday
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday to remember the life of a longtime East Chapel Hill High School principal who recently died. Dave Thaden began his career in Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools as an English teacher at Guy B. Phillips Junior High School after graduating from the University of Michigan in 1979. […]
›