Dr. Michael J. Callaghan

Dr. Michael J. Callaghan peacefully passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2015, at his home in Austin, Texas, at age 85. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ann M. Callaghan, his son, Kelvin M. Callaghan, and two grandchildren, Emily and David Callaghan.

Mike was born on January 29, 1930 in Los Angeles. He was an only child, and his Mother died when he was only five years old. Mike attended Blessed Sacrament boarding school in Hollywood, California. He went to high school in Grants Pass, Oregon and attended Villanova Prep in Ojai CA. He graduated from California Institute of Technology, in Pasadena, California, with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Following college, Mike worked in the research department of Shell Chemical Company until he joined the Navy in 1955. As a Navy Lieutenant, he served as meteorologist on ships which visited both the North and South Poles. It was during his service, while stationed in Seattle, Washington, that Mike met his future wife, Ann Nolan.

After leaving the Navy in 1958, Mike traveled around the world for several months. He visited exotic locations such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Saigon, Calcutta, Bangkok, Cambodia, New Delhi Cairo, Athens, Rome, Vienna, Frankfort, Zurich, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris.

Returning to Palo Alto, Mike went to work for Varian Associates, and in 1960, he married Ann. Shortly thereafter, Mike returned to college, and after earning his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University, he went back to work for Varian.

Mike and Ann’s only son, Kelvin Michael Callaghan, was born in 1965, in Palo Alto. A few years later, Mike returned to Shell Chemical, working in Emeryville CA, New York City, and Houston, Texas, where he eventually retired. One of his more interesting projects with Shell was supervising the construction of the 20 story Flexicoker at the Shell Refinery in Martinez CA.

Mike's hobbies included woodworking. In addition to building a complete dining room set, including a table, chairs, a china cabinet and sideboard, as well as many other pieces of furniture for his home, Mike gifted each member of Ann's family with a custom walnut Owl nutcracker. These are still prized items in the Nolan family homes. Another major effort was the beautiful walnut crib he built for his treasured grandchildren, Emily and David.

Mike was also an accomplished photographer, and his pictures of friends, family, celebrations, and his many travels are legendary.

Following his retirement, Mike and Ann traveled widely in Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and throughout the U.S. And Canada, where he relished in learning about foreign cultures and customs, and continued his love of photography.

After living many years in Houston, Mike and Ann moved to Austin Texas to be close to Kelvin, his wife Carole, and their two children, Emily and David. Following a stroke, Mike passed away on July 11, 2015 at age 85.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills, in Austin, Texas. The following day, Mike’s remains will be laid to rest in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Operation Smile the Nature Conservancy or a charity of your choice.

To share your memories and condolences with Mike’s family, please visit www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com.