Alan Charles Caldwell

November 30, 1935 ~ January 3, 2025
Born in:
Salinas, CA
Resided in:
Vienna, VA
Alan Charles Caldwell died at 89 on January 3 at home in Vienna, Virginia. Born into a loving family in Salinas, California, Alan was a fun-loving kid and the neighborhood organizer who made movies, directed plays in his parents’ garage, and performed magic shows. Naturally musical, he studied piano and later taught himself guitar.
He grew to become an engineering student at the University of California Berkeley where he would meet his future wife, Louise. His education was interrupted when he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany for two years. Later, he enrolled in San Francisco State College, graduating with honors in World Business. He was hired in 1962 by Del Monte Corporation as a business trainee which led to a long and successful career lobbying for the food industry. In 1974 he was transferred to Washington, D.C., to become the Director, Federal Government Affairs. Surviving a period of merger mania in the 1980s he then, also, represented RJR Nabisco Brands.
Alan had enormous energy and his setting was at full throttle with no speed bumps. Following retirement in 1994, he began a 15 year career with The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). He brought to that organization his formidable lobbying skills along with the experiences of a volunteer firefighter, EMT, department chief, battalion chief, and over 40 years on the Board of Trustees of the Fairfax County Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department. He became the first registered lobbyist to effect a powerful voice for the fire service on Capitol Hill. Congressman Rob Andrews said, “Alan brought the power of consensus. For two years he galvanized the numbers and under his stewardship created significant funding for the FIRE Act. There are 24 million fire calls a year and Alan Caldwell is symbolically riding with them on every response.” Another success was a key role in establishing FirstNet. Both programs continue to this day with great benefits to the fire service and public safety. Reflecting on Alan’s career, a local fire chief said, “As a person, friend, and colleague, Alan is as good as they come and is a truly special man.” A few of his awards are Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award, The Fairfax Bar Association Dennis Duffy Citizenship Award, Optimist International, and the Robert J. J. Seone Award.
Between a demanding career and volunteer commitments, Alan embraced life and adventure. He often said, “I don’t want to miss anything” — walking 3.6 miles beneath the San Francisco Bay, seeing camel races in Australia, attending opera in Santa Fe, enjoying eggs benedict at Brennan’s in New Orleans (Alan’s were better), participating in the Fire Chiefs Delegation to Russia, zooming down a zipline in Alaska at age 84 with grandkids, and a visit to France in 2024 for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Alan toured the world with Louise and even more airports virtually in his flight simulator. In later years he indulged family with luxury cruises, delighting in the planning of every detail.
Alan once described himself as “just a normal American who loved his wife, his family, his country, and enjoyed a great life.” And enjoyed it with a great sense of humor! He is survived by the love of his life for 63 years of marriage Louise Calvert Ginder Caldwell, son Scott (Monica), daughter Missy (Paul), grandchildren Madeline, Julian, and Kate, sister Jane, and many cousins. He was proud of his children and grandchildren with all their gifts and talents, and they were dear to his heart.
A memorial event will be held at the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department on March 1 with reception (12:00-1:00 pm) and service (1:00-2:00 pm). Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department at https://www.dlvfrd.org/donate and online condolences can be posted to Money & King at https://www.moneyandking.com/current-obituaries
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