"On Cal's birthday today, I have lit a candle in his memory. He was always a light-hearted and welcomed guest, bringing laughter and joy. Cal also had a special relationship with my mother who always looked forward to his visits. With my family, I share the sadness of Cal's passing and feel an emptiness knowing that he is gone."
In loving memory of
Walter Calhoun III
February 22, 2015
Walter Calhoun "Cal" Swallow III, 64, of 2531 Prentiss Avenue and 234 1/2 N. 12th Street, Quincy, IL died unexpectedly February 22, 2015.
He was the son of W. C. "Cal" Swallow Jr. and Dorothy Liggett Swallow. Cal was born in Quincy on March 11, 1950 and was a 1968 graduate of Quincy High School. He attended Southern Illinois University and Quincy College. In his youth, Cal was an active member of the Boy Scout Troop sponsored by the First Union Congregational Church.
For many years he owned and operated Swallow's Cycles formerly located in the 8th and State area and also at 12th and Vermont Streets in Quincy. He retired from that business when his Type 1 diabetes prevented him from standing on his feet for long periods of time. His spirit of adventure led him to travel in his blue van or on a favorite BMW motorcycle to attend a bike rally. When he could no longer ride with the wind blowing in his face he took great pleasure in his cats Powder and Beemer who were with him when he died.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and his niece Katherine R. Broemmel.
Survivors include his sister, D. Reaugh Broemmel and her husband Ned of Quincy and a niece Melissa R. Broemmel of Chicago; cousins Robert (Sandra) Moore, Richard (Joyce) Moore, Ross (Sally) Moore, Thomas (Susie) Moore all of Quincy and Robert (Carole) Guthrie of Elk Grove Village, IL and Richard Guthrie of Anchorage, Alaska. Also Lindley Rapp Uehling of New York City.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dorothy L. Swallow Fund of the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area, 4531 Maine, Suite A, Quincy, IL 62301
A memorial service will be held Thursday February 26 at 2:30 PM in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, 1535 State Street with the Rev. Dr. Charles Hetzler officiating. Visitors may call from 1:30 to 2:30 prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Camp Point IL at a later date.
Tributes
"So sorry to hear about Cal. What a wonderful person he will be truly missed."
"Very sorry to se the news of Cal's passing. As a teenager I spent innumerable hours (and dollars) hanging out at the bike shop. Always enjoyed watching Cal hold court in the shop and the long conversations that ensued - bicycles, cars, stereos, computers, whatever; some of my fondest memories of growing up in Quincy."
"Cal loved trains. He spoke of life metaphorically....He said each of our lives are like trains on separate tracks. He said that our lives would join - connected, side by side, traveling together. And we did, for many years. We had the most fun traveling together - to Branson for his motorcycle rallies, to music festivals, to Niagara Falls and Portland, Maine in the RV. He helped me on photo shoots and we went to doctor appointments in St. Louis, even having fun at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, as he charged around the aisles in their motorized wheelchairs. And Cal made me laugh. From him I learned how to play again. There might be seriousness in the air, and suddenly I would see him - twisting his baseball cap sideways on his head, then jostling his glasses sideways on his nose, then crossing his eyes and contorting his face. The seriousness was over. He had put life in perspective again. Cal was a brilliant mind with a wealth of information. He was a master researcher. He coached me about audio systems and computer systems, always encouraging me to buy the best and be forward thinking. I learned about geothermal, hvac, appliances, tile, wiring, house foundations, the best kind of insulation, even the proper way to close a car door to lessen the structural impact. ( I am sure my friends do not appreciate MY current insistence that they close my car door correctly.......) I begged Cal to move to a ground floor home, insisting he get away from that awful, snow and ice covered, outside staircase. "What can happen?!" he would say, "I have the strength of 10 men!!" And I would agree.......Because he did. Despite the many years on crutches, the bulky, blue smurf boot, the tiring gazes of passersby, and the surgeries, Cal didn't complain. ALL those years. He had a deep acceptance of what was.....and stayed the course, doing as he saw fit. For all of us who cherished him, (and often tried to get him to do what we thought would be better for him), we learned to appreciate and accept our dear friend, Walter Calhoun Swallow III, for his sweet kindness, his love of life, and the authentic person he was. Later in his life, Cal talked about the train trip he always wanted to take to the Pacific Northwest. I said, " Let's do it!". He researched it. He studied the route. He knew exactly the path the train would take....... Although that trip was never taken, let us all, from the deepest parts of our hearts, wish sweet Cal a joy-filled Bon voyage......"
"My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Cal had such a kind and adventurous spirit...he will be missed! Rest In Peace my friend..."
"So sorry Cal has left us so soon. He certainly fought his health battles with a lot of courage. I, for one, never heard him complain. He will surely be missed by many. May he now rest in peace and comfort."
"My deepest sympathy to Cal's family and closest friends, I will miss our long telephone conversations and are heated political debates. Our love of power tools and dislike of snow.I will miss the hours and hours of watching Syfy together.rest in peace my dear friend"
"He was one of the best friends I ever had.I will miss and think of him everyday."
"What a great guy and so friendly to be around. To young to leave this life. He will be missed. RIP Cal."
"I am so sorry to hear this. Cal was a gentle soul, always making light of the physical challenges he faced. I will remember him as making people smile whenever he could."
"Dear Ned & Reaugh, We are sorry to hear that your brother, Cal, has departed. He is remembered as an adventurous and friendly lad in school. It is unfortunate that health problems curtailed the activities he loved. Best wishes and God's Blessings"
"Very sad news about Cal,a life long friend. I'm glad I got to talk to him last week. He will be in a better place."
"We just received the news about Cal passing away. He came out to California a few years back on a cross country motorcycle trip. What a nice time catching up on Quincy and talking about old times. Cal holds a special place in our hearts and he will be truly missed. G. & Nance"
"Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Cal, my lifelong friend. He will be missed."
"Very sorry to hear the news. We spend a lot of time together growing up on York St."