Daniel Caldwell Obituary

Daniel Ralston Caldwell, 81, of Hoover, Alabama passed away on June 26, 2017 from complications due to Parkinson's disease and heart issues. Born in Berkeley, California, on February 29, 1936, Dan graduated from Reed College in Oregon, then served in the medical corpus of the U.S. Army. Later, he received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Maryland and worked as a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Wyoming for 28 years. Professionally, Dan served as President of the Rocky Mountain Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, and he was active in numerous scientific and agricultural honor societies. Dan published numerous scientific articles and edited for science journals throughout his career, including serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. Most notably, he authored a textbook in 1999, Microbial Physiology and Metabolism. Dan's longtime passions included playing the cello and singing in the choir for community and church events. Dan was also an avid golfer, often caddied by his two daughters. Most recently Dan was a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church after many years as a Deacon and Elder in the Laramie Presbyterian Church.

Dan is survived by his wife Wanda Beckett Caldwell; a sister: Sara Caldwell from Oakland, California; two daughters: Lisa Caldwell (Patrick Turner) from Buhl, Idaho, Joan Caldwell Smith (John Smith) from Casper, Wyoming; three step-children: Brian Beckett (Lynn Beckett) from Birmingham, Alabama, Jill Hopkins (Mark Hopkins) from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Troy Beckett (Diana Beckett) from Athens, Georgia; and eight grandchildren: Katy Beckett Cook (Zac Cook), Claire Hopkins, Tyler Beckett, Kyle Beckett, Emily Beckett Phillips (Colby Phillips), Jack Hopkins, Justin Petrossi, Megan Beckett. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. James R. Caldwell and Katherine Field Caldwell.

A memorial service will be held for family and friends at a date and time to be announced in the future. Memorial donations may be made to Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama or organizations that support Parkinson's disease research.