Our dearly loved husband, dad, grandpa and brother passed on after a struggle with Parkinson's disease. He passed away peacefully at age 79 Saturday, November 17, 2007, at his home in Des Moines. He was born on January 9, 1928, in Portland, Oregon, to Edward William and Eleanor Magdaline Caldwell. Jack was raised the fourth of four sons. He graduated from Beaverton High School in 1946. After high school Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army where he became a technical sergeant for the 1st Battalion, 63rd Infantry as a member of the MP.
After spending two years in the Army including an active tour of duty in Korea, Jack was able to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He first attended the College of Great Falls where he met Betsy Elizabeth Hildahl. They were married in 1951 in Great Falls, Montana, and soon moved to Bozeman, Montana, where Jack attended engineering school at Montana State University. Jack graduated in 1953. Upon graduation he was hired by Dow Chemical and started his career in Midland, Michigan, designing some of the first machinery used to make Saran Wrap. In 1954 he accepted an offer from the Boeing Company to pursue his lifelong dream of designing airplanes. He then moved to Seattle with his wife, Betsy, and their first son Edward, to begin a successful 38-year career as a mechanical design and propulsion engineer.
Jack's great loves were airplanes, fishing, restoring automobiles, and helping family and friends. Jack could design, fix, and build just about anything; there was never a mechanical problem he couldn't solve, and he always found the time to lend a hand. During his career at Boeing he was instrumental in the design and development of a number of airplane mechanical systems. He received patents on several of his designs, and we should all be comforted by the fact that his ingenuity continues to help keep those amazing machines in the air, safely and efficiently.
Jack was also very fond of animals and as a result, his family was able to enjoy the company of dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, crows, and even a pet raccoon and tortoise. He was a good artist and could often be found in his garage sculpting something. He enjoyed music too and loved to sing "You Are My Sunshine" to his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betsy; his three children Edward (Cathy) of Everett, Bob (Kathleen) of Seattle, Rhonda (Doug) Weeks of Tacoma; three grandchildren (Stephanie and Natalie Caldwell, and Owen Weeks); brother Preston Ford Caldwell of Des Moines; nephews Eric and Steven Smith, and nieces Ginny Devine and Georgia Hildahl.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, November 24. Remembrances may be sent to the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, P.O. Box 56 Mercer Island, WA 98040 (www.nwpf.org/makeagift.asp).
