Bruce Calder

Bruce Calder died suddenly on January 21, 2021, following a brief illness. He was born in Dallas on July 21, 1925, raised in Bronxville, New York, along with his brothers Curtis, Gordon and Ben, then returned to settle in Dallas permanently.

Bruce graduated from Yale University in 1943 before entering the U.S. Army for aviation training. For his entire life, he was deeply affected by the loss of his identical twin brother, Ben, who was killed during the War. When World War II ended, Bruce enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin to study petroleum engineering. Following his studies at UT, he entered the oil industry and later started his own company in partnership with his brother, Curtis.

Bruce met and married Margaret Malitz, a Dallasite and mother of his four sons. Bruce was an avid traveler, hunter, tennis player and golfer. Bruce was also a lover of all dogs. He was a patron and past president of the Dallas Ballet, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Dallas Opera. Bruce was enthusiastically involved in local and national politics. He ran for State Legislature in 1968, and served as former Finance Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. He could be found during the workweek having lunch at the Petroleum Club, and was known to break out into song during meals. He also was a long-standing member of Brook Hollow Golf Club.

Bruce is predeceased by his parents, his stepfather, his three brothers, his wife Carol Y. Calder and two of his sons, Christopher and Craig. He is survived by two of his sons, Curtis H. Calder and Bruce Calder, Jr., and, and two stepsons, Christopher T. Wyatt and Michael S. Wyatt, his devoted office manager, Claudia Bankston, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any of the following, or the charity of your choice: Phillips-Exeter Academy, Yale University, the Fort Worth Ballet or the Dallas Opera.