Douglas Lorimer Caldwell

Douglas Lorimer Caldwell, Blanchardville, WI, age 77, passed away on May 28, 2018 at his home. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Louise (Johnson) Caldwell.

Doug was born to Malcolm G. and Bertha (Lorimer) Caldwell, 30 June 1940, at Concord, Massachusetts. Doug spent his younger years in that area and graduated from Concord High School in 1958. In March 1959 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, he reported to Lowry AFB, CO, for specialized training in anticipation of an assignment to Alice Springs, Australia, when a family illness interrupted his training. His class went forward without him, and he was subsequently trained as an Inflight Refueling Specialist (boom operator). He was assigned to Dow AFB, at Bangor, ME, as a boom operator on KC-97 aircraft. When the KC-97 was phased out of the AF inventory, Doug was retrained as a tail gunner on B-52 aircraft and in 1963 was reassigned to the Bomb Wing at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, where he met and married Nancy on 31 July 1965. Both he and Nancy were reassigned to March AFB, California, during 1966. Doug flew 115 combat missions as a gunner over both North and South Viet Nam during three assignments to that area. In late 1979 he was reassigned to Minot AFB, ND. After two more years of flying, he suffered an eye injury and was grounded from flying. He was cross-trained to be a First Sergeant, serving at Carswell AFB, TX, Galena AB, Alaska; RAF Lakenheath, England; and Minot AFB, ND. Doug was recognized for his strong leadership ability and creative problem solving, whether it was retrieving the body of a drowned Airman from the raging Yukon river, arranging for dental care for an Airman sentenced to prison in England, or obtaining Fort Worth city resources to support base operations. In recognition of his leadership, he was named Minot AFB (ND) Airman of the Year in 1989 and Elk of the Year for Minot's BPOE Lodge 1089 in 1989. Doug retired from the Air Force on 31 October 1981 with more than 22 years of service and attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He received numerous awards including the following Air Force Medals: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal with 3 Oak Leaf clusters, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Doug was an avid hunter and fisherman. He especially enjoyed duck and grouse and pheasant hunting in North Dakota. He had two champion Labrador retrievers that he field-trialed with in both Canada and the United States with his good friend and Professional Trainer Bachman Doar. His dog, "Magic City's Nanook of the North" (Nooker) won the Florida State Gun Dog Championship in 1984.

Doug belonged to a number of organizations. He was a life member of the Elks, VFW, DAV, Shriners, Blue Lodge, Air Force Sergeants Association, and served as vice-President and President of the Air Force Gunners Association. He served locally on the Board of Directors for the Argyle Rod and Gun Club and belonged to the local Pheasants Forever, and the Blanchardville Rod and Gun Club helping each year in raising pheasants. He was also involved with clearing fallen trees from the boat pathways in the Pecatonica River. He was a member of the Argyle American Legion, the Argyle Lions Club, and Yellowstone Lutheran Church.

Doug enjoyed travelling to our National Parks and Monuments with his old motor home and camping at military bases across the country. He picked up friends and experienced adventures wherever he went, as those who experienced his storytelling can attest.

Doug was predeceased by his parents, an older sister Jean Hampson and her husband Kenneth of Alamogordo, NM, and two brothers: Robert (Bruce) and Richard (Dick) of West Concord, MA. He is survived by brothers Malcolm of Shirley, MA, and Dr. Thomas and wife Sharon of Lexington, MA, sister-in-law Judy Caldwell of West Concord, MA, and (special friend of Dick) Judy Parker of Acton, MA., and many nieces and nephews. He is further survived by sisters-in-law Vernalee Dorsey and Connie (Dennis) Relihan of Argyle, Mayona Lewis of Neillsville, and Elizabeth Johnson of New Glarus. He is also survived by his special friend Travis Rowe of Argyle. Memorials in memory of Doug may be made to Yellowstone Lutheran Church (P.O. Box 217, Argyle, WI 53504) or Argyle American Legion Post 251 (P.O. Box 125, Argyle, WI 53504). A Visitation for Doug Caldwell will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM At Blanchard Hall at 204 South Main Street in Blanchardville with a Masonic service by the Argyle Masonic Lodge held at 8:00 PM. A funeral service , preceded by an hour of visitation, will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Yellowstone Lutheran Church at 4472 Saints Rd in rural Argyle. Rev. Dan Bohlman will officiate. Burial will be with Veteran's honors by the Argyle American Legion Post and the United States Air Force in the church cemetery. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at saetherfuneralhome.com To watch the memorial video tribute for Doug, please click the following link: