Chester "Chet" Caldwell, passed away suddenly at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Saturday, February 9, 2002. He was born in Denver, Colorado to Dorothy and Chester Caldwell in 1932. He graduated from South High School in Denver and attended Colorado University.
He has been a McDonald's franchisee, owner/operator in Albuquerque since 1967. Chet's philosophy was to give back to the community. He was involved in many community activities and served on many volunteer boards. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He was the president of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the Lobo Club. He was the recipient of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith Distinguished Community Service Award, the Ronald McDonald House Charities "Helping Hands Award," the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Albuquerque Ronald McDonald Award. He was instrumental in the development of the Albuquerque Ronald McDonald House. He served on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Board, the Anderson-Abruzzo Balloon Museum Board and The New Mexico State Fair Junior Livestock Board.
He was also involved in the family horse business. He and wife Judy's Rancho Rio Grande has produced such World Champion Morgans as RRG Promises Promises, RRG Reign Man, and RRG Countess In Command, and have recently owned and shown show ring champions Irresistiblee, MLF Caliente and CEN Go French. Chet also loved to hunt and fish. He was a dedicated family man, who loved his wife of 46 years. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sports and other activities.
He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Caldwell of Albuquerque; son, Kevin Caldwell and wife, Nancy; grandchildren, Kylee and Casey Caldwell of Albuquerque; son-in-law, Duane Keating of Edgewood, NM; sister, Lois Petsch of Parker, CO and her children, Michael and Stephen Petsch and Robin Krizan, all of Denver, CO; and sister-in-law, Beth and husband, John Thatcher and their children, John and Tim Thatcher, all of Denver, CO and Katie Carroll of Swink, CO. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kristin Caldwell Keating of Edgewood, NM.
Memorial Services were held Wednesday, February 13, 2002, at Calvary Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Albuquerque, 1011 Yale NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.