Daniel Fairchild Calhoun, 92, of Wooster, passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at his residence.
Dan was born June 21, 1929, in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Philo Clarke and Doris Antoinette (Wheeler) Calhoun. As a boy soprano in St. John s Episcopal Church, Bridgeport, he acquired a lifelong passion for classical music. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1946; obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Williams College in 1950; served in the CIA from 1950-1954; and received his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1959. He was a professor at the College of Wooster from 1956 to 1994, serving as the Chair of the History Department from 1969-1972 and 1986-1988 and the Dunham professor of history from 1989-1994. He was the author of The United Front: The TUC and the Russians, 1923 1928 and Hungary and Suez, 1956: An Exploration of Who Makes History. Following his retirement, he was a volunteer with Ohio s Hospice LifeCare, People to People Ministries, the Wooster Hope Center, and Meals on Wheels. He is a member of St. Mary s Church.
Dan is survived by his wife, Janet (McGovern) Calhoun; children Carol Calhoun of Bethesda, MD; Philo Calhoun (wife Annelisa Schneider) of Edmonds, WA; and Virginia Calhoun de Millán (husband Francisco Millán Velasco) of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, as well as by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one grandchild.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster with Rev. Stephan Moran as officiant. Inurnment will be in St. Mary Cemetery.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be directed to Ohio s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to Wooster Hope Center, P. O. Box 1204, Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be directed to Ohio s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to Wooster Hope Center, P. O. Box 1204, Wooster, OH 44691.
Service
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster
Visitation
My heart goes out to all of Dan’s family and friends for we all have lost a wonderful soul. Dan was a more important part of my life than he probably ever knew. I treasured the exuberance he alway seemed to have for life. He was generous with his time, attention, love and possessions. I remember following him one day as he did his “meals on wheels” route. As we went to each door, Dan would talk to me of each upcoming recipient about some of their difficulties, but always include you something positive about each one. He greeted them so cheerfully as he seemed to greet everyone.
I loved Dan as the Uncle who took me boating up in Maine, played hours of backgammon with me, and discussed things with me as if I were a thinking adult- far before I reached adulthood.
To Janet, who I care for dearly, I am very sorry. Dan so clearly loved and respected you. I know you did much together and I know that you will miss your best friend and soulmate. It could not be easy to bask in the accolades of “Mothers Day “ this year but you have done such an excellent job, with Dan, of creating a bright, beautiful, successful family of 4 generations. Dan was so proud of all of you.
My love and condolences,
Debbie
Dear Janet and family,
We are sorry for your loss. It seems that Dan did not suffer long – a blessing. And I know from our times getting Meals on Wheels that he stayed active and caring for the great majority of his time. May your memories bless you in this time of loss.
Fondly,
Linda and Dave
Dan y Janet conocieron muchos países del mundo
Europa en especial la Gran Bretaña y despues
tambien gran parte de Mexico con la familia
de su hija Virginia, esposo y nietos. En todos
ellos dejo muy buenas amistades admirando
por su sabiduría, experiencia y su gran sentido
del humor y generosidad. QEPD Prof. Dan
Calhoun. Te extrañaremos.
Leslie and I send our condolences to his family on the passing of Prof. Calhoun. Dan was a key member of that amazing history department at Wooster, which we remember so fondly from our years there (1978-83). We remember him with great fondness and lament his passing.
I only know Mr. Calhoun through his amazing daughter Virginia, and grandchildren (through her and Francisco Millan). We have shared many experiences here in Chiapas, Mexico; not only the love of knowledge, but love of social interaction and participation in musical and plastic arts, which are such important elements in the personalities and lives of his offspring. I am also impressed by the career of this individual, and by the many positive ways he has impacted the world. My condolences to his family.
I’m so sorry to learn of Dan’s passing. He was unfailingly kind, supportive, and warm to me and my wife, April, when we arrived in Wooster. Deepest condolences to his loving family.
Dan has been a colleague (in the work of LifeCare Hospice) and a friend for many years. He impacted many lives through his direct care volunteerism and he impacted several very deeply. Dan was the epitome of the ideal of one who uses both his brain and his heart to great purpose for the enhancement of the world.
So sorry for your loss. The parents of Little River are dwindling. I have a vivid memory of your Dad/husband sitting in his chair in the Kidee Koop. Surrounded by his pipe collection, always a book or paper in his lap. He never had much to say to us kids but I do remember his smile. Keep his memories alive.
Dan and I were colleagues on the faculty of the College of Wooster for many years. Upon retirement, we both served on the People to People Ministries. My condolences go to
his wife Janet and the rest of his family. May God bless you in this time of grief and difficulty. Dan will be remembered for his many worthwhile contributions to the college and
to the community.
Dear Janet and Virginia, you know how much Dan meant to me, I think. On the very short list of the people who made my life the rich banquet it has been, he holds pride of place. I try to be what he tried to make me, and the thought of him first makes me smile and second makes me so, so grateful. You and your family have my heartfelt condolences, and Beau’s as well.
Dale and I are so sorry to here the news about Dan. So sorry for your loss, Dan was such a wonderful person and will truly be missed by this entire community. He was so caring and giving of his time, talents and treasures. We got to know him when he volunteered at People TO People Ministries. I enjoyed listening to all the places he had traveled. May God give you peace in this difficult time.
Dear Calhouns, one and all,
How can it be that Dan Calhoun is no longer giving his signature laugh, challenging assumptions, demanding rigor, and making history and ideas come alive? This is a sad, sad loss, and my heart goes out to all of you. I knew the suspect first as Carol’s father (he who insisted on Pepperidge Farm bread–imagine!), then as an historian my parents admired, and, finally and fortunately, as Professor Calhoun. I’ve ended up an historian of American design and thought largely because I took his unforgettable Western Civilization course, while still a senior at Wooster High. He inspired me to stay curious, ask big questions, and imagine my way into the past. As you live with loss, please know that this genial, incisive, and ever-inquisitive spirit lives on in all of us who learned from him.
I’m sorry to hear this news. He was one of my favorite profs at Wooster. I’ll never forget when he opened his home to the students to listen to Russian music, eat traditional Russian bread, sharing the Russian iconography, and discussing the Russian novels he introduced us to. RIP!