Name: Calderwood, Robert Lindsay
Burial Date: 1998, 06/09
Age at Death: 64
Plot Location: 902 G
Notes: husband of Margaret Ann(Shoemaker)
STERLING BULLETIN obituary 1998, 06/11
Robert Lindsay Calderwood, 64, a lifetime resident of Sterling, died Friday, June 5, 1998, at the District Hospital, Lyons, following a massive heart attack.
He was born Dec. 7, 1933, at Sterling, the son of Robert Orr and Nelle Lindsay Calderwood. He was a farmer and had been an employee of Sterling College for the past 40 years. He drove the college bus for 35 SC choir tours and was known as “Daddy Bob” by the choir members.
He was a member of the Sterling Lions Club and of the Sterling United Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and deacon. He was a 41-year member of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department, of which he was a longtime fire chief.
On June 7, 1956, he married Margaret Ann Shoemaker at Topeka. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Craig Calderwood, Sterling, and Mark Calderwood, Ulysses, a daughter, Diane Rebman, Alma, Neb.; two brothers, Don, Wichita, and Bill, Sterling, two sisters, Lois Sieverling, Euless, Texas, and Frances Calderwood, Sterling, seven grandchildren, and 10 nephews and nieces.
Funeral was at 2 p.m. Tuesday at United Presbyterian Church, Sterling, with the Rev. Glen Holman presiding. Burial was in Sterling Community Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the church or to Sterling College, both in care of Sillin Funeral Home, Sterling.
Sterling Profiles ( The SC View, November 1977)
Editor’s Note: In every successful venture, program or institution, there are people, either prominent or behind the scenes, that make the difference between success and mediocrity. In this continuing section, we hope to acquaint you with some of the “Sterling Profiles” that have in the past and are presently responsible in one way or another, for the success of Sterling College.
BOB CALDERWOOD
Maintenance –
Bob Calderwood…When many of our readers hear that name, memories of past choir, band, and other tours will come to their minds, because it’s hardly a tour without him.
Bob, who spends most of his hours as a mechanic in the college shop and keeper of the campus grounds, is probably best known as the Sterling College bus driver. It is in this role that Bob has become well-known and highly regarded by current and former students alike.
He started with the college in 1957 and first took the seat behind the wheel in 1961 when he drove the old SC bus for a spring band tour. Two years later, he added the choir tour and since then he has driven an estimated 200,000 miles for Sterling. Each year there are about 25 trips for sports-related events, a dozen or more various field trips, and the choir and band tours.
Not only does Bob drive the bus, but he maintains it mechanically as well. In fact, he keeps all the college “wheels” (about 10 vehicles) rolling. The bus goes into the professional shop in Hutchinson on any matter concerning steering or brakes. “These are too important to trust to anyone but a professional,” says Bob. His mechanical worries were relieved a great deal when the college received a newer bus in 1971 that replaced the old 1949 model.
Bob’s service to the college has been in many ways, but quite likely his most valuable service is his personality that so many parents, alumni and other people whose homes he has stayed in on the long tours have enjoyed. His interest in the students is evident when he says, I enjoy watching those students to whose hometown we are approaching and as we get nearer you can see the pride on their face and hear it in their comments. They are proud to be a part of the Sterling College Band or Choir, and I’m just glad I can be a part of it too.”
Few people merit the title of ambassador, but Bob Calderwood certainly fits the role in the case of Sterling College.
