Obituary of Dr. Stephen Kipling Calendine

Dr. Stephen Calendine, a deeply respected and much-loved dentist of Colorado Springs, Colorado for over twenty years, passed away on August 2, 2020. Steve was born in Mansfield, Ohio on December 5, 1960. Known to his close friends and family as �Cal', Steve grew up in Lexington, Ohio, where he attended Lexington High School and met his wife, Kara Kent. He was an accomplished athlete, lettering in varsity basketball, football, and track. Steve graduated from high school as a member of the National Honor Society in 1979. He discovered his passion for dentistry while studying at Ohio State University, finishing his Bachelors degree in Zoology in 1983. Steve knew he wanted a career in medicine - he majored in zoology to preemptively finish as many premed courses as possible - but had no inkling to what specialty, if any, to pursue. During a routine visit to his dentist, he off-handedly mentioned his indecision finding a specialty when his dentist suggested he come into the office and shadow him for a day. Steve, not a fan of dental visits, half-heartedly agreed; but when he saw how patients would come into the office in unbearable pain and leave laughing, huge smiles of relief on their faces, he had found his calling. He graduated from Ohio State University with his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree in 1987, making the Dean's List for both his undergraduate and doctorate studies. Steve was also an OSU Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity member where he served as a Treasurer.To pay his way through college, Steve served in the Ohio Air National Guard from 1979 to 1987, being honorably discharged. He immediately entered Air Force Officers' training in Texas, becoming a commissioned Air Force Captain in the Dental Corp, then graduated top of his class from the prestigious Dental Residency at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. In 1988 Steve was deployed to In�irlik Air Base in Turkey where he served as a General Dentist, as well as the Dental Health Officer, Emergency Preparedness Officer, performed the majority of the clinic's oral surgery, and established the first battered child recognition program; he was also the Team Chief of the Casualty Collection Point for the base hospital, and earned �Excellent' ratings in two NATO/TAC evaluations, and his Dental Health program was rated �Outstanding' by the Health Services Management Inspection Team (IG). In 1990 he was reassigned to Hahn Air Base in Germany with the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE), and with the 583rd Medical Squadron as a General Dentist, as well as Dental Radiology Officer, Dental Health Officer, Dental Education Officer, and Forensic Dental Officer. Steve was also a member of the Officers' Club Advisory Committee, and was twice selected as Company Grade Officer of the Quarter for the Medical & Dental Clinic. In 1993 he was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain, turning down a promotion to Major. After leaving the Air Force he served on the staff of the sports medicine team for Duke University, and was the official dentist of the Air Force Academy Falcons collegiate football team, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, and olympic athletes of the US Olympic Training Center. Steve was a member of such professional organizations as the ADA, Colorado Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Academy for Sports Dentistry, American Society of Dentistry for Children, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Association of Orthodontists, and was a lifetime member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. His military decorations include the Ohio Faithful Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one device, the Air Force Reserves Medal for Meritorious Service with one device, the Expert Marksman Ribbon with a star, and the Air Force Commendation Medal and Ribbon for his service during Operation Desert Storm. Steve is preceded in death by his father, Rudyard "Kip" Calendine, passed 2013; father-in-law, Gene Wirick, passed January 2020; aunts and uncles, Brian Calendine, Carol Klintworth, George Volz, Russell and Ethel Hoffman, Lee and Edward Spitzer, Ken and Gloria Baker; and cousin, Ray Baker; and grandparents, Nelson and Kathryn Calendine, and James and Awretha Walker. He is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Kara; and four children, Tanner (Tina), Quinn, Zane, and Gage. Also in mourning is his mother, Janet (Ron) Calendine-Bolesky; sisters, Jodi (Neal) Smith, Jill (Bob) Jenkins; and brother, Dr. Philip (Bethany) Calendine; siblings-in-law, Katherine (David) Kurtz, Karl (Lori) Kent; father-in-law David (Jo) Kent; mother-in-law, Patricia Wirick (now passed, August 16, 2020); nieces and nephews, Dr. Stephanie (Isaac) Smith-Crabtree, Brian (Rachel) Smith, Brandon Smith, Josh (Christine) Maihle, Matt Maihle, Paige (Josh) Banks, Phoebe (Nolan) Neyer, Skyler, Dawson, and Walker Calendine, Alex Kurtz, Brian (Meghan) Bacin Jr., Kyle (Natalie) Kent, Kelly (Ben) Kyser; step-siblings, Richard (Deborah) Wirick, Jane (Paul) Drake, Jennifer Breitinger, Jon (Krystal) Burris, Jennifer (Mike) Cook; and countless extended relations.Steve was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend; the kind of man everybody loved to be around. Steve was a brilliant dentist and healer; patients and co-workers alike adored him for his charisma, his humor and wit, his expertise and measured intelligence, his undying perfectionism, his compassion, empathy, and humility. Steve was an avid hobbyist, enjoying golf, tennis, fishing, woodworking, and automaintenance. He was an eternal student, and never stopped amassing new skills and abilities. Steve was quick to laugh and loved to make others laugh. It cannot be expressed how dearly we miss him. The family plans to hold a memorial service in the Fall, pending the return of his daughter from Naval Basic Training.