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RONALD H. Capt. Ronald H. Caldwell, USN (Ret.), born February 18, 1928 on the Pioneer Ranch in Monte Vista, CO to Ralph and Anna Caldwell, passed away on July 10, 2005 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He is preceded in death by his brother, Dewey Caldwell, and his mother and father. He is survived by his loving wife, Cathie; son, Charles (Vickie) Caldwell; daughters, Caitlin (Mark) Wernke, Lisa (Peter) Clugston and Celia Caldwell and husband Bob Ledbetter; step-daughters, Jennifer (John) HasBrouck, Meghan (Phil) Brandt; brother, Roger (Lee) Caldwell; sister, JoAnne Fram; sister-in-law, Geraldine Caldwell; 14 grandchildren, Jennifer, Michelle, Brianna and Victoria Caldwell; Kevin, Matthew and Jonathan Wernke; Erika and Mason Clugston; Jarod HasBrouck; and Catrina, AJ, Max and Tommy Brandt. Ron began his life-long love of skiing at Wolf Creek Pass in the mid 1930s, continuing skiing for the next 68 years. In 1946, he enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman under the Naval Aviation College Program at the University of California - Berkley. He entered the Naval Air Training Command in 1948 and received his wings in November 1949. He joined Fighter Squadron 31 as a "Flying Midshipmen" in December 1949 and was commissioned in March 1950. Capt. Caldwell served as a flight instructor from 1953 to 1956. He participated in Korean combat missions aboard the USS LEYTE. During Vietnam, he served as Air Group 15 Operations Officer following that he assumed command of Attack Squadron 163 known as "The Saints." He completed more than 100 missions as squadron Commanding Officer. His effective command leadership is well documented. He survived a tragic fire on board the USS Oriskany on October 26, 1966. He served on the staff of the Commander Pacific Fleet. While in this role he participated in the reception for our returning POWs from Vietnam. His next command was that of VA-125 (1969-70) the replacement airgroup training squadron at NAS Lemoore, California. For his service in Korea and Vietnam, Capt. Caldwell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star, Meritorious Service Medal, (11) Air Medals, (4) Navy Commendation Medals with Combat Distinguishing Devices, (3) Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars. He assumed command of the Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility here at Kirtland AFB in 1974. During this time, he was introduced to hot-air ballooning by two of his junior officers. In 1975, he lobbied the Navy to establish the Navy Hot-Air Balloon Team as a recruiting tool. In 1976, he began his dual command of the Navy Hot-Air Balloon Team, an all-volunteer program. This led Capt. Caldwell into the ballooning community of Albuquerque. In 1980, he was Balloonmeister of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He then served on the AIBF Board of Directors from 1980-2001. After retiring from the Navy in 1977, Capt. Caldwell returned to school to receive his Master's Degree from UNM. He went to work for Los Alamos Technical Associates as an engineer and corporate security officer, retiring again in 1996. Capt. Caldwell was a life member of Flying Midshipmen Assoc., Tailhook Assoc., Assoc. of Naval Aviation. He was also a member of Navy League, and the Albq. Aerostat Ascension Assoc. of NM. He was a 30 year member of Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC. Ron will be remembered as a great Naval Aviator patriot, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who loved to share his stories of skiing, fishing, ballooning, and the Navy with all who showed an inkling of interest in any of his loves. That crooked smile and twinkle in his eye will never be forgotten. The Caldwell family wishes to thank their friends and the caring staff at Carestone at Quintessence for all the love and support they have given these past months. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC, 7834 Tennyson NE, on Sunday, July 17, 2005, at 2:00 p.m., with full military honors. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd Building Fund; the Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd Suite C, NAS, Pensacola, Florida, 32508; or to the Anderson-Abruzzo Balloon Museum, 6121 Indian School Rd., Suite 201, Albuquerque, NM, 87110 French Mortuary, Inc. 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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