Douglas Leland Caldwell

Douglas Leland Caldwell, affectionately known as Papa/Dad, Dougie, Doug, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025. He was 82 years old, loved life, and definitely lived it to the fullest. You could always hear him saying that he was “Strong Like Bull”, telling his famous samurai sword joke, or telling many stories of his life. He was the light in the room that everyone gravitated to and never met a stranger, just a friend he had not met yet.

Doug was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Juanita Arlene (Johnson) and Robert Devaney Caldwell. He would tell great stories of growing up with 5 siblings, playing hockey, going fishing, and running around the neighborhood. He graduated from North High School, where he was in the drum corps and marching band, a talent he would use his whole life, including a drum solo performance at his 80th birthday party.

After high school, Doug joined the United States Navy. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran. He flew in ASUB aircraft hunting submarines. On the Yorktown aircraft carrier, he witnessed a nuclear test off the coast of Christmas Island. While stationed in San Diego, he found his love of swimming on the Navy swim team. He continued this passion in college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he studied economics and joined the swim team. He lettered in swimming and broke many team records that lasted for years and competed at the MIAC Nationals.

Doug spent over 30 years at 3M company. He started as a bean counter at 3M, worked his way up the ranks to controller and director in the Telecom and Electronics divisions. He traveled extensively, representing 3M throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. He held several patents in electrical products and received many awards of excellence for his work in finance, acquisitions, and building a world-class organization. While at 3M in Brussels, he was a regular at Rick’s Cafe Américain, where he “held court” with his many friends. He was proud to serve on the Entertech board (business incubator) at the University of Texas, where he worked tirelessly to bring new technologies to Austin, and mentor new entrepreneurs. He was also on the Financial Board of Directors at UWRF, and advisory board of the Prosperity Bank in Lakeway, Texas.

He loved to slalom waterski, snow ski, snowmobile, hunt pheasants, and spent many days on the golf course. He was proud of his hole in one on the 12th hole at the Hills of Lakeway (Texas). He also enjoyed watching sunsets, traveling, playing Texas Hold ’Em, and a nice martini with friends in the afternoon. Hey, it’s 5:00 o’clock somewhere!

Doug possessed a rare ability to make others feel special without doing anything but being himself, and in doing so made the world a better place for the rest of us. He actively helped and mentored hundreds of people. From small anonymous acts of kindness with his neighbors and strangers to driving a long distance to replace the stolen fish for the Catholic church’s Friday Fish Fry. He gave freely without asking for anything in return. He had a great love for his wife and loved and was proud of his children and grandchildren.

Preceding him in his ascent to heaven are his parents; brothers, William Caldwell, Thomas Caldwell; sisters, Roberta Nickell, Christine Arneson and his brother-in-law Gerald Nickell.

His legacy lives on through wife, Lynn Caldwell; daughters, Leslie (Steve) Castleberry and Danielle Caldwell; grandchildren, Madison and Savannah; Lynn’s children, Brandon Edgar and Jennifer Ashley and grandchildren, Christian and Makayla; brother, James Caldwell; first wife, Sue Caldwell; and his many, many friends that he called family.

He would be honored to have you celebrate his life with a toast or small act of kindness.

Please join us on Friday, February 28th, 2025 at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohman’s Crossing Road, Lakeway, Texas at 9:50 for Naval Honors and 10am for the Catholic Mass of Remembrance. Reception to follow at 113 Bisset Court in Lakeway.