Russel Anthony Caldwell, past-president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield and the founding principal of Caldwell Construction Inc., died Dec. 10 in his home due to complications from pancreatitis. He was 56.
A visitation was scheduled 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole St., with funeral services held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 16 at the funeral home.
London, England, native Caldwell was a member of the HBA since 1995 and had served as board president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. In 1998, HBA honored Caldwell with the Builder of the Year Award. The award is the highest honor given by the HBA.
Before becoming a remodeler and builder, Caldwell served as a professional chef and, in 2004, coordinated a wedding reception for the son of then Attorney General John Ashcroft. Caldwell studied culinary arts in England, but upon moving to Springfield, he decided to pursue a career in construction.
“I kind of have the belief that the remodeling experience can be a pleasure,” Caldwell said at the time. “I saw a need for a company that would provide a high level of professional service, and thought I could develop it and did.”
Caldwell earned the National Association of Home Builders professional designation for Graduate Master Builder and Certified Graduate Remodeler. He was the first full-time remodeler to serve as president of the HBA of Greater Springfield
“Mr. Caldwell was instrumental in working behind the scenes to make Springfield a better community for those who suffered economic challenges,” HBA’s statement said. “He will be greatly missed.”
Caldwell is survived by his wife, Jane; his parents, Catherine and Tom Caldwell, of Mildenhall, United Kingdom; two brothers, Terry and Andrew; his stepdaughter, Amy Bergant; and two grandchildren, Michael and Zoe.