Delmar Calhoun

Delmar Calhoun, beloved husband, father, Air Force veteran, business leader, storyteller and friend passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on July 30th after living a full and extraordinary life.

Born in Durango, Colorado on August 13th, 1932, Del's arrival coincided with the depths of the Great Depression, shaping the grit, gratitude, and generosity that defined his life. Raised in a small mountain town, he learned early the value of community, hard work, and family, all of which remained central throughout his years.

Del graduated from Durango High School and went on to earn both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force and served as a B-47 bomber pilot under the US Strategic Air Command during the cold war.

Del married his college sweetheart, Jane Day, on February 14th, 1957, and together they built a life grounded in faith, love, and laughter. He often said the most important thing in life was to "go out and make good memories," advice he lived by and generously shared.

Del worked in many roles over the course of his life ranging from soda jerk at his uncle's drug store, to US Air Force pilot, to college professor, to director of the New Mexico Engineering Research Institute (NMERI) where he retired after 36 years. He was a man of great character, a keen observer of history and current events, and a voracious reader and writer. He penned many short stories, poems, and tall tales, publishing his first book Long Night of the Beaver at age 92 and chronicling his remarkable journey through life in a deeply personal autobiography titled Timeline.

Del had a great love for the mountains of southwestern Colorado and spent many dreamy days at his family's cabin. He loved to fish and to go jeeping in the San Juans; he loved to drive his golf cart around the lake property to visit with neighbors, and to just putz in his tool shed. Del was heavily involved in shepherding the Electra Lake Sporting Club through a pivotal period, which resulted in federal agreements ensuring the long-term survival of the sporting club and the responsible management of recreation on Electra Lake for decades to come.

At home, Del was often at his computer researching material for his latest story, editing and printing photographs, or lost in his garage, surrounded by woodworking tools as he brought new carvings or pieces of furniture to life. He and Jane also shared a love for travel, exploring destinations in Russia, China, Canada, the Galapagos Islands, many parts of Europe, and historic destinations across the United States.

Del is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jane Calhoun, three children and their spouses, Richard and Rebecca Calhoun, Jackie and Jerry Karasz, and Ken and Sondra Calhoun, as well as ten grandchildren and their spouses, and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10 AM on August 23rd at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Telluride Adaptive Sports Program, 568 Mountain Village Blvd, Telluride, CO 81435, or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.