David Robert Calderwood

David Robert Calderwood August 23, 1942 - April 28, 2012 "You had to run to keep up with him." Long time Bakersfield resident, a true racing man and owner of MP Environmental Services, Inc. died at home on April 28th, 2012. He was 69 years of age. David was always racing, wherever he was or whatever he was doing. Whether he was on his way to an emergency-response clean-up for MPE, to the center of the track where one of his drivers was in Victory Lane, or down the aisle to wed the love of his life, Dawn Pecarovich, he did it fast. He lived his life in high gear. David was a man born with speed, and with speed he lived his life in the fast lane, trying to fit in everything he loved doing. Childhood Days David was born August 23, 1942 in Coalinga, California because there was no hospital in Avenal, CA. His father and mother, Arnold and Lola Calderwood, were farmers. When David was four, they moved the family to the Calderwood Ranch in Greenfield. David was the youngest of four children. The birth order was Bill, Sheila, Bruce, then David. Bruce and David were affectionately referred to as the "little boys," and were inseparable. They maintained a deep brotherly love and special friendship until Bruce died in a plane crash in 1977. David's family farmed cotton and alfalfa. David often spoke of the memories of milking the family cow every day and night, whether it was hot or cold, and even on Christmas. David participated in 4-H and FFA. David's racing days actually began in those early days on the farm. His sister Sheila recalls that he was racing around the farm on a tractor when he was only five. Family Days David met his future wife, Dawn, when she was 12 years of age. Dawn's parents refused David's request to date their daughter at that time. But David knew Dawn was the one for him. A few years later, the two connected again when David began working for Dawn's father at MP Vacuum. David successfully courted Dawn and they were married December 5, 1970. Dawn and David enjoyed a family of three children. In birth order, Heather, Shawn and Rex. The David Calderwood family was full of life, propelled by their children and all their activities. From showing horses, to playing baseball, to racing anything with a motor, this was a family on the go. Between Heather, Shawn and Rex, they raced go-karts, midgets, quarter-midgets, modifieds and quads. It wasn't long after their children married that grandkids were on the way. David thoroughly enjoyed being a grandfather. Shawn and Tami's daughters, Ireland and Sydney, would visit the MP yard on the weekends and go for golf cart rides with "Grumpy," as they affectionately called him. The girls would spend hours with Dawn and David, enjoying the dogs and turtles and going swimming. It was a special treat for everyone when David made it to Phoenix to see Rex and Chrissy's children, Logan and Tuesday. When Grandpa came to town, endless smiles accompanied the many trips made to Baskin Robbins in an attempt to escape the heat. MP Environmental Days (MP) It was often said that "MP was not a job, it was a way of life." David began work for MP in 1960, and that is precisely the time he began living his life to improve MPE. He was hired on by the owner, his future bride's father, Mitchell Pecarovich. David ran the shop for many years, and then in 1990, Dawn and David purchased all the shares to MP Vacuum and began MP Environmental Services, Inc. David and Dawn's foresight into environmental needs-coupled with an intense desire to work hard-increased MPE from one terminal in Bakersfield to an operation now in seven states throughout the western United States. David has numerous employees that double as family and close friends. MPE maintains a family atmosphere complete with employees that are sold-out for the company and the Calderwood Family. The MPE way of life was contagious, all of David's children caught the fever. While Dawn and Heather oversaw the air conditioned portion of the office, David worked closely with his sons, Shawn and Rex, since before they were old enough to be on payroll. Rex once said he was 11 when he drove his first semi-truck. His dad told him to get in it and move it to the wash rack, and so he did. This was David's mode of working and teaching: just get in and get it done-fast. Everyone spent the day chasing David around, which isn't surprising when you consider his fast-paced walk, wild golf cart driving and hectic daily schedule. If you turned your back for even a moment, you'd look up to find him half-way across the yard, across the street or down the driveway before you knew it. He would get up before the sun to go share a cup of coffee with his favorite farmer friends to debate if it was going to rain that day or not then head to work for a full day. He was a hard worker who never complained. At night, he would come home and keep working, whether it was just tinkering in the garage or the infamous Saturday when he accidentally pulled out a gas line in an attempt to remove an orange tree. David would often work holidays and late into the night just so that his employees didn't have to miss time with their own families. Racing Days David's first encounter at the track occurred when he was 16. David travelled to Daytona, Florida as a pit crew member for Frank Seacrest racing. Not long after, David and Mitchell Pecarovich began frequenting the tracks together enjoying the thrill of the races. David was infected. His intense passion for racing sparked a lifelong hobby for owning and managing race cars of all kinds. Racing greats Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Jimmy Sills, Kenny Irwin Jr., and Tracy Hines were all Calderwood Racing drivers at some point in their careers. At his death, David was still active with racing. He currently sponsors a 410 sprint car that runs the USAC circuit. Both sons, Shawn and Rex, leisurely race sprint and modified cars when work allows it. Two weeks before David's passing, with great joy, he visited the local Kart track in Phoenix to watch his grandchildren, Logan and Tuesday, race their go-karts. His Legacy David was a man who would give you anything you asked for without expecting anything in return. He was a true barterer, loved making deals with people and selflessly helped anyone in need. As long as you were fair and honest with him, he treated you with the same respect. David was the type of guy that had a nickname for everyone who crossed his path. Likewise, he was known by many names like Davey Crockett, Big Cheese, Big Foot or Tumbleweed. On rare occasions when he stood still long enough for someone to tease him back, you might even catch him blushing. He was a hero to his family and friends and showed his love for the people in his life in his own special way. Survived By David is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dawn Calderwood; daughter Heather Calderwood and her soon-to-be-born baby Calderwood; son, Shawn Calderwood, his wife Tami and their daughters Ireland and Sydney; son, Rex Calderwood, his wife Chrissy and their son and daughter, Logan and Tuesday; his sister Sheila and brother Bill; brother in-law Ronald Pecarovich; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted niece Cindy Drake. David is predeceased by his parents, Arnold and Lola, and his brother Bruce. Services A viewing will be held at Mish funeral home on Thursday May 3, 2012 from 4:00pm-8:00pm, located at 120 Minner Ave Bakersfield, CA 93308 Funeral services will be held at Valley Baptist, 4800 Fruitvale Dr., on Friday at 10:00 am. Graveside services will be immediately following at Greenlawn Cemetary, 3700 River Blvd. A catered reception will be held at the MP Yard, 3400 Manor St. Bakersfield, CA 93308 following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shade Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Foundation. www.shadefoundation.org www.jeffgordonchildrensfoundation.org Special Thanks The family would like to give a special thanks to those that touched David's life and that of his family: Earl Burt, John Lawson, Ralph Furlong, Bob Beachnor, Larry Bowser, the Jacobs Family and John Bickford and family. You fueled his passions, enriched his life and were true confidants and friends. www.bakersfield.com/obits

.Published in Bakersfield Californian from May 2 to May 4, 2012 .