Roland Palmer Caldwell

Roland Palmer Caldwell, Retired Lt. Cmdr and Naval Aviator, born Feb 11, 1932 passed to eternal rest on May 20, 2008 after a short battle with lung cancer. "Rip", as he was known throughout his adult life, was born in Iola, Kansas to Earl Landis Caldwell and Dale Palmer Caldwell before the family moved to Austin shortly after his birth. After graduating from S.F. Austin in 1950, he attended The University of Texas prior to joining the U.S. Navy. In 1953, he earned his wings through the Naval Cadet Program and began a 22-year career that he often said he would have paid for if the Navy hadn't paid him. By far, most valuable to him were the friendships he made and maintained for the rest of his life. He married Frances Lee in 1953 and had two sons, Joe Allen and David Lee. After retirement from the Navy, Rip assimilated into civilian life in San Diego, CA. He worked as a navigator on a tuna boat and animal control warden (where more animals were returned to their owners than were ever taken to the pound), before moving back to Austin in 1976, where he met Pauline Kunze. Married in 1980, her family became his and grew to include numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rip's new career was in security where he retired from the Austin State Hospital and then spent many years with Securities Security Agency. Again, his real joy was the people he met each day. Ironic, indeed, he had celebrated his 19th year without a cigarette shortly before his diagnosis. He used to say that he was going to live to be a hundred or die trying. While his passing has left a void in many lives, the memories of his smile and his giving nature, his love of a good joke and his zest for retelling them, and his love of family and friends will remain. He was a good man, he fought the good fight, and he truly deserves to rest in peace. Rip was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Earl L. Jr. and Leland "Corky" Caldwell. He is survived by his wife, Pauline; sons, Joe and David; daughters and husbands, Patsy and Bob, Karole, Sandra and Dennis, Barbara, Diane and Kenneth, and Debra; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry A. and wife, Betty. The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Diane and Kenneth for their sacrificial and loving care in their home for Rip in his final days, and Barbara who also worked tirelessly to provide loving support for him. Visitation will be held from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at Wilke-Clay-Fish Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Austin Memorial Park.