Russell Caldwell
April 6, 1932 - March 24, 2011
Russ Caldwell died on March 24 at home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in 1932, during the Depression, on a sharecroppers’ farm near Manila, Ark. He was the sixth of seven children, and three of his siblings died of childhood diseases that are easily treated today. At an early age, he earned money to help put food on the table. Russ enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and was a veteran of the Korean War. He married Norma Emerick in 1952, and soon after, started working for the phone company in Salem. After Norma passed away, he married Anna Mae Barton in 1962. They moved to Corvallis in 1978. After Anna passed away, he partnered with Judy Becker in 2005. Russ loved to travel, and took his children on memorable car trips. He took foreign exchange students into his home; he was generous to those in need; and was president of the Telephone Pioneers Club. Russ was the salt of the earth. He was a self-educated man, and passed on the love of learning to his children. He built a cabin on the coast so that his grandchildren could visit the beach. He loved the simple things of life, like harvesting strawberries, riding his bike to see the rhododendrons on campus, bowling with friends, and watching the geese. His survivors include three children, Conni, Steve and Bruce; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Corvallis Evangelical Church. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Highland Bowl.
Russ Caldwell died on March 24 at home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in 1932, during the Depression, on a sharecroppers’ farm near Manila, Ark. He was the sixth of seven children, and three of his siblings died of childhood... View Obituary & Service Information