IN MEMORIAM: Stephen Caldwell ’69
The Rev. Stephen "Steve" R. Caldwell, Class of 1969, died peacefully on Thursday, August 18, 2022, aged 83, after a courageous battle with cancer and Alzheimer's. Caldwell was born in Springfield, Ohio on August 30, 1938 to Russell Warder and Cora (Mahan) Caldwell. He graduated from Urbana City High School in 1956 and entered The Ohio State University, where he played the baritone horn in The Best Damn Band in the Land and was especially proud of his participation in the Rose Bowl Parade of 1958. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1960 in Industrial Psychology but stayed at Ohio State and began work on a master’s in music, and while doing so, played the bells at Orton Hall. In March of 1962. Caldwell joined the United States Air Force, and remained until September of 1966, serving his country overseas in Vietnam. He then entered General and was ordained on December 20, 1969.
On December 30, 1972, Caldwell married Barbara (Sybrandt) Race and on April 19, 1973 became an instant father after adopting Barbara's two children, Alice Marie and Austin Thomas Race. On August 7, 1974, the family was complete with the birth of Andrew William.
During Caldwell's life with the Episcopal Church, he serve many parishes as Curate-Headmaster, Vicar, Associate Rector and Rector, and was always known affectionately as Father Steve. He was very involved with both the Central Florida Diocese and Diocese of the Rio Grande. He ended his career as a Canon of The Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His ministry was not limited to the church. He was dedicated to the Cursillo movement, Kairos Prison Ministry, Marriage Encounter and Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He also served his communities through Sertoma and Civitan Club and was a chaplain with the Albuquerque Police Department. During retirement Caldwell was thrilled to be able to make his spiritual pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St. James, beginning in Madrid Spain and ending in Santiago de Compostela.
Caldwell was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Cora Caldwell. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Barbara Caldwell; daughter, Alice Marie Whitcomb and husband, Steve; son, Austin Thomas and wife, Stacy; son, Andrew William and wife, Meghan Shea; grandchildren, Race, Grayson, Rachel, Marion, Alice, William, Daniel and Thomas; brother, Phillip and wife Sally; brother, William and wife, DeDe and many nieces and nephews.
The memorial service was held on September 24, 2022 at The Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, NM. The interment of ashes service was held on September 25 at St. Chad's Episcopal Church Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, or The General Theological Seminary.