Obituary for Calvin J. Hallada PhD
Calvin James Hallada, Ph.D., passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the age of 89. He spent his last hours with his devoted wife Judy and long-time friend Nellie, children and stepchildren by his side.
Cal was born to William and Katherine Hallada on October 16, 1933 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He was the youngest of eight children. Cal was a star at both academics and athletics all through his schooling. He attended Grand Forks-Central High School, where he was the quarterback and captain of the football team. After graduation in 1951, Cal started his journey into higher education by attending the University of North Dakota, where he again captained the football team. In 1953, as the quarterback for the Fighting Sioux, Cal was the nation’s leading small college passer. He had more completions for more yardage than any other player in the country.
After earning his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Mathematics in 1956, Magna Cum Laude, Cal found himself looking for a new location to call home. This location needed to have a great sports team, especially in football and hockey. Cal moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and was soon blessed with 3 children – Mark, Katie and Patty, as he continued his studies. Cal earned his Masters and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1961. He earned his Postdoctoral honors the following year at the University of California at Berkeley.
Cal’s first love after family was sports. Fortunately, he was able to combine the two. In his free time there was always either a game of catch, some backyard football or watching sporting events with his kids. Throughout the 70s and 80s Cal spent much of his free time coaching his three kids in baseball and softball. Barnes Ace Hardware was always the sponsor, first for the little league baseball team and then for the girls’ softball team. How sweet it was that after coaching the local baseball team all the way from third grade through the beginning of high school, that team won the city championship! His kids remember playing their instruments together with their dad, the ritual of evening card games, and baking around the holidays. Cal was always his kids’ biggest fan in all their sporting events, and this continued with his grandchildren. It was never too far for him to travel to attend one of their sporting events. His love of Michigan sports was passed on to his children and grandchildren. If they weren’t attending games, they would be cheering on the Maize and Blue.
Cal spent most of his professional career working for Climax Molybdenum Company, advancing through several roles starting in 1965 until his retirement in 2000. Cal’s work as a skilled chemist earned him honors that few in his field could achieve: he authored over 25 scientific publications and earned 7 patents for his chemical inventions. Cal’s work focused quite often on Molybdenum (Mo on the Periodic Table), a mineral that processes proteins and genetic material. His fellow chemistry colleagues, coworkers and employers had great respect for him professionally and personally. Cal was an honored member of the American Chemical Society and the North American Catalyst Society.
In 1994, Cal met his wife, Judy, when she worked as a dental assistant. Cal gave her his phone number and, after dancing to Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” at Weber’s Restaurant in Ann Arbor, they were inseparable from their second date. They married in June of 2000 and spent 22 spectacular years together traveling the world and making memories.
Outside of work, Cal loved to play golf and could spend hours gardening and landscaping. He and Judy would travel when his work would take him overseas and across the country. They spent time in England, Austria, Hawaii and many other places. Cal and Judy enjoyed traveling anywhere that they could find quality entertainment in a bustling city. Their favorite destinations included London, Toronto and Stratford.
Cal was known to sing any tune that popped into his head and loved to make people laugh. He loved to read and mainly enjoyed history, biographies, and autobiographies. But Saturdays were always reserved for Michigan Football. Cal held season tickets to Michigan football and hockey. He enjoyed all University of Michigan sports and was always willing to let the coaches (and referees) know his opinion as a Couch Coach.
Cal had a natural curiosity about him that extended from his work to the people he met; he always wanted to know more about you. Always a conversationalist, he made friends easily and made you feel comfortable. His greatest pride were his grandchildren. Cal was very involved in his grandchildren’s lives and activities. Band concerts, sports, you name it – Gramps/Papa was there. Cal will always be remembered and cherished as a humble and kind man. His legacy of love and generosity will continue to live through his family and friends.
Cal is survived by his beloved wife, Judy; his loving children, Mark (Sarah Beth) Hallada, Katie (Brian) Begeman, and Patricia (Mike) Ferguson; Judy’s children, Rebecca (Matthew) Schneider and Joshua (Lindsay) Jarvis; his dear siblings, Lloyd Hallada and Ben Hallada; his adored grandchildren, Shay, Adam (Christina), Luke (Colleen), Ava, Christian, Gavan, Ian, Alaina, and Lydia; and two expected great-grandchildren in 2023.
Cal is preceded in death by his parents, William and Katherine and siblings, Bill, Ambros, Ruth, Twila and Christine.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 12:00 p.m., with a gathering beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Live streaming will be available for those that can not attend in person at the following website (Click Here for Live Stream Link).
For those wishing to make a donation in Cal’s name, the family suggests Arbor Hospice at www.arborhospice.org/donate/donation-form/.
Cal was born to William and Katherine Hallada on October 16, 1933 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He was the youngest of eight children. Cal was a star at both academics and athletics all through his schooling. He attended Grand Forks-Central High School, where he was the quarterback and captain of the football team. After graduation in 1951, Cal started his journey into higher education by attending the University of North Dakota, where he again captained the football team. In 1953, as the quarterback for the Fighting Sioux, Cal was the nation’s leading small college passer. He had more completions for more yardage than any other player in the country.
After earning his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Mathematics in 1956, Magna Cum Laude, Cal found himself looking for a new location to call home. This location needed to have a great sports team, especially in football and hockey. Cal moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and was soon blessed with 3 children – Mark, Katie and Patty, as he continued his studies. Cal earned his Masters and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1961. He earned his Postdoctoral honors the following year at the University of California at Berkeley.
Cal’s first love after family was sports. Fortunately, he was able to combine the two. In his free time there was always either a game of catch, some backyard football or watching sporting events with his kids. Throughout the 70s and 80s Cal spent much of his free time coaching his three kids in baseball and softball. Barnes Ace Hardware was always the sponsor, first for the little league baseball team and then for the girls’ softball team. How sweet it was that after coaching the local baseball team all the way from third grade through the beginning of high school, that team won the city championship! His kids remember playing their instruments together with their dad, the ritual of evening card games, and baking around the holidays. Cal was always his kids’ biggest fan in all their sporting events, and this continued with his grandchildren. It was never too far for him to travel to attend one of their sporting events. His love of Michigan sports was passed on to his children and grandchildren. If they weren’t attending games, they would be cheering on the Maize and Blue.
Cal spent most of his professional career working for Climax Molybdenum Company, advancing through several roles starting in 1965 until his retirement in 2000. Cal’s work as a skilled chemist earned him honors that few in his field could achieve: he authored over 25 scientific publications and earned 7 patents for his chemical inventions. Cal’s work focused quite often on Molybdenum (Mo on the Periodic Table), a mineral that processes proteins and genetic material. His fellow chemistry colleagues, coworkers and employers had great respect for him professionally and personally. Cal was an honored member of the American Chemical Society and the North American Catalyst Society.
In 1994, Cal met his wife, Judy, when she worked as a dental assistant. Cal gave her his phone number and, after dancing to Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” at Weber’s Restaurant in Ann Arbor, they were inseparable from their second date. They married in June of 2000 and spent 22 spectacular years together traveling the world and making memories.
Outside of work, Cal loved to play golf and could spend hours gardening and landscaping. He and Judy would travel when his work would take him overseas and across the country. They spent time in England, Austria, Hawaii and many other places. Cal and Judy enjoyed traveling anywhere that they could find quality entertainment in a bustling city. Their favorite destinations included London, Toronto and Stratford.
Cal was known to sing any tune that popped into his head and loved to make people laugh. He loved to read and mainly enjoyed history, biographies, and autobiographies. But Saturdays were always reserved for Michigan Football. Cal held season tickets to Michigan football and hockey. He enjoyed all University of Michigan sports and was always willing to let the coaches (and referees) know his opinion as a Couch Coach.
Cal had a natural curiosity about him that extended from his work to the people he met; he always wanted to know more about you. Always a conversationalist, he made friends easily and made you feel comfortable. His greatest pride were his grandchildren. Cal was very involved in his grandchildren’s lives and activities. Band concerts, sports, you name it – Gramps/Papa was there. Cal will always be remembered and cherished as a humble and kind man. His legacy of love and generosity will continue to live through his family and friends.
Cal is survived by his beloved wife, Judy; his loving children, Mark (Sarah Beth) Hallada, Katie (Brian) Begeman, and Patricia (Mike) Ferguson; Judy’s children, Rebecca (Matthew) Schneider and Joshua (Lindsay) Jarvis; his dear siblings, Lloyd Hallada and Ben Hallada; his adored grandchildren, Shay, Adam (Christina), Luke (Colleen), Ava, Christian, Gavan, Ian, Alaina, and Lydia; and two expected great-grandchildren in 2023.
Cal is preceded in death by his parents, William and Katherine and siblings, Bill, Ambros, Ruth, Twila and Christine.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 12:00 p.m., with a gathering beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Live streaming will be available for those that can not attend in person at the following website (Click Here for Live Stream Link).
For those wishing to make a donation in Cal’s name, the family suggests Arbor Hospice at www.arborhospice.org/donate/donation-form/.