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Obituary for CALDWELL


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Tuesday August 22, 2006

Stephen D. Caldwell May 25, 1941 - August 19, 2006 Stephen Daniel Caldwell, 65, died unexpectedly August 19, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. The respected and well-loved native New Mexican will be missed by all who knew him. He loved life and appreciated every moment. He cared deeply for those he knew and was always there to help anyone achieve their aspirations. Born in Springer, graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he proudly served his country flying F-4 Phantom jets in Vietnam, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. Returning to New Mexico in 1972, he founded and ran Caldwell Construction in Taos where he lived until 1980 when he moved his family to Albuquerque where he continued his career in construction management. He loved the creative process of construction and building to make the community a better place. He was involved in construction or renovation of several notable projects including the Hispanic Cultural Center, the Eldorado Hotel, La Posada Hotel, Bishop's Lodge, the Bataan Memorial Building, Rainbow Vision, Ghost Ranch Worship Hall and Residences, and hundreds of homes across New Mexico. A proud father of six grown children, he was an active leader building and promoting youth soccer. In 1996 he moved to Santa Fe where in 2003 he met the adult love of his life, Bette Ridgeway. Together they shared beautiful days and nights filled with music, art, and Steve's life-long interest, golf. Steve is survived by wife, Bette Ridgeway; children, Karen, Kathleen, Jennifer, Matt, Ann, and Meghan; mother of his children and first wife of 32 years, Lynn of Albuquerque; six grandchildren; siblings, Joe of Taos and Kass Atkinson of Santa Fe. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Berardinelli Family Chapel. Contributions in his honor should be directed to the cause of your choice or Oprah's Angel Network. Arrangements are under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505, (505) 984-8600.


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