Ronald "Ron" Calder
May 14, 2015
Ronald “Ron” Calder, 75, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015.
Ron was born November 26, 1939. He was a caring husband, father, brother, son and friend. He served in the U.S. Army and worked for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Ron is survived by his wife of 37 years, Jeanne M. Calder; numerous children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris “Red” and Ruth Calder and his brother, “Babe” Calder.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2015 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street followed by burial at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Everyonea Thinkzucrap
11/28/2020
Hi there, hope you're enjoying rotting in hell you sadistic murderer. Congrats on having the supreme court overturning an ancient law due to what a scumbag you are!
Jon Croft
05/19/2015
Thank you to Jeanne and the entire Calder family for the lovely funeral service this morning. I just wanted to clarify my remark about the nickname that Ron earned early on in his career as an air traffic controller: "Junkyard Dog". The nickname wasn't meant to be disparaging. Ron got it because, like a junkyard dog, he wasn't afraid of anything or anybody. People respected that and many other things about him. Ron had a very long and rich career with the FAA. He was a talented controller and provided exceptional safety services to the flying public and countless numbers of aircraft over the years. He also left a legacy sharing his technical skills by providing on-the-job training to many developmental controllers at the different locations where he worked. They say air traffic control is a young mans game, but Ron kept his sharpness working airplanes well past the typical retirement age. When we finally convinced him that the Agency's greatest need for his wisdom no longer required a headset, he became indispensable to the district as the Quality Assurance lead for 14 control facilities and some 300 employees. Ron was uniquely individual. He had many friends and admirers. We will miss him.
Bill Ellis
05/19/2015
My condolences to the Calder family. I have known Ron since the mid-80's when I selected him as the Manager for the Dubuque Air Traffic Control Tower, and had kept in contact with him until a couple of months ago. He was a good work mate and friend and I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with Jeannie and his family.
Gary Main
05/18/2015
I write this with a heavy heart for I only knew Ron for the last eleven years and yet I considered him a good friend and great mentor. His contribution to life was significant in my eyes. I shall not forget him. My condolences to the Calder Family.
Judy O'Conner (daughter of Joan Lohr)
05/18/2015
So sorry for your loss!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time!
Judy and Patrick O'Conner
James
05/16/2015
Ron is a wonderful and caring man who took me on as a son when I was eleven years old and even with all the trouble that I caused he never gave up on me. I have many awesome memories of spending time with Ron from the boarders of Iowa to the beaches of Puerto Rico. He taught me how to sail and recognize purple water for what it truly was (under water reef). He worked very hard at always trying to help anyone and succeeded many many times. He will be truly missed. Thanks dad.