In Loving Memory
Calvin (Cal) Henry George
1945 – 2023
Celebration of Life
Saturday, December 2, 2023
1:00 PM Pacific / 2:00 PM Mountain / 3:00 PM Central / 4:00 PM Eastern
Montezuma Lodge
431 Paseo De Peralta, Sana Fe, NM
Live Stream Available
Watch a recording of the live stream
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- Please consider signing the guest book at the bottom of this page to acknowledge your presence.
Photo Montage
Obituary of Calvin Henry George
Calvin (Cal) Henry George, 77, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away in April, 2023, from complications of cancer.
Born in Davenport, Iowa, to Dorathea M. (Volckmann) and Franklin A. George, he grew up in Westchester, Illinois, outside of Chicago. Cal received his BA in English, Theater and Education from Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin, his MA in Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and attended the prestigious University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop (graduate Poetry, undergrad Fiction).
Cal’s career in the nonprofit sector was dedicated to helping others, from workforce development to national service, economic and social policy, labor market demand and human service delivery systems. He held leadership positions focused on community economic development, health care reform, employment and training, and basic skills and literacy.
While at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) in Washington, D.C., Cal founded the Community HealthCorps, a federal AmeriCorps program to improve the capacity and effectiveness of community-based health care delivery designed to increase access to primary and preventive care for the underserved and improve patient self-management. As National Director, Cal grew the organization to numerous program sites/affiliates across the country with over 400 community health promoters at 70 clinic locations.
His career began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Social Development Commission and Office of Manpower Program Development. Later, Cal held leadership positions at Youthwork, Inc., US BASICS, a Ford Foundation funded project, and the National Committee for Full Employment, co-chaired by Coretta Scott King. Cal served on many grant review teams for various Health and Human Services programs.
He was an active member of Beth Chai, 40 Plus of Greater Washington and local arts organizations. Cal advocated for and participated in fitness activities throughout his life and continued to exercise regularly at the Santa Fe Spa even while struggling with cancer.
Cal discovered photography as a young child and was an incredible photographer with a minimalist approach focused on beauty and architecture. His photographs appeared in gallery exhibits including Red Dot and Santa Fe Community College (SFCC). At SFCC he studied with Will Wilson, Diné (Navajo) artist and department chair. Founder of calgeorge photography (www.calgeorge.com), Cal created many intriguing portfolios (e.g., seduced by color and light, edges and spaces). Cal was thrilled to have his work accepted and reviewed by professionals for annual portfolio reviews at the Medium Festival of Photography in San Diego. This was an honor for Cal and one of his proudest achievements. He also attended many AIPAD art fairs in NYC.
A fervent movie buff, he loved music, the theater, art galleries and museums, literature, discussing politics and current events, dancing, and dining with family and friends.
Cal maintained close relationships with a wide network of friends and family and would endearingly tell jokes or respond with a clever quip. Cal participated in his family’s long round-robin tradition, keeping bundles of letters circulating to update each other.
Cal met his wife Pat Tiliakos Lovenhart on a Sagafjord cruise to Alaska. They were married for over 26 years and lived in D.C., Bethesda, Maryland, and Dunn Loring, Virginia, before relocating to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2011. They loved hanging out together on weekends, watching movies and spending time with their son and daughter. Cal also loved frequent long chats with his best friend and sister.
He is predeceased by his parents, first wife Alixe McNeill, aunt Catharine Volkmann, and special friends Donald Sykes, Sunni Knight, Frank Slobig, Ben Usher, Judy Conway, and Katie Kiedrowski. He is survived by his wife Pat, daughter Karen Tiliakos, Santa Fe, NM, son Mark Steven Tiliakos, Woodbridge, VA, sister Catharine Margaret Bailes (Keith), El Cajon, CA, nieces Wendy Gardner, Mandy Gardner, Allysa Hawkins (Daniel), Tennessee, and best friend, Robert Knight, Silver Spring, MD.
Cal’s hearty laugh would reverberate at social gatherings. With his love of life and can-do spirit, when someone would ask Cal how he was, even after being diagnosed with cancer, he would usually reply “better than I think I am” and end phone conversations with “to be continued”.
A memorial celebration of a life well-lived and dedicated to helping others will be held at the Montezuma Lodge in Santa Fe, New Mexico and online on Saturday, December 2, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brent’s Place or the Montezuma Lodge.
You are also invited to share a fond memory in the guest book below.
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What an amazing and distinguished life Cal led! I’m so glad your paths met on that Alaskan cruise. I’m sorry we didn’t get to know him better, but I know you had a deep, mutually supportive, and loving relationship. We knew him as a wonderfully nice, upbeat, talented man, devoted to his causes, the arts, and you. We enjoyed meeting Cal’s family and friends at his memorial and loved that he experienced such a rich and happy life.
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This was a beautiful memorial service Pat.
Lovely words in eulogy. I remember Cal’s laugher! Sorry I did not get to know him better. He loved Ron’s comedy and we are grateful for that. May you Rest In Peace Cal. God bless.
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We were glad to attend Cal’s memorial celebration. It was gracious and meaningful. Our social visits with you both were always enjoyable, and Cal was always engaging and amenable. Butch appreciated the conversations he had with him about their many shared interests!
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So glad I got to know you and Pat. It was a very enriching experience.
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Scott Davis, Founder of Medium Photo .org sent this to me. Pat
Cal George was a great friend to all of us at Medium Photo, and his passing in April 2023 leaves a void in the photo community that cannot be filled. Cal’s multi-disciplinary background found a natural home in his creative work, resulting in a sensibility that made his photographs sing—in key and on point. He attended the Medium Festival many times since 2017, and brought such energy, enthusiasm and joy to the field. His willingness to venture beyond the abundant photography community in Santa Fe, to attend our events in San Diego, is a testament to his belief in our work and the programs we produce.
Cal and I shared a love for form, design and minimalism in our work, as well as a penchant for lowercase and a background spanning decades in Washington D.C. These and other similarities were a point of connection from the moment we met, and provided robust, thoughtful conversations year after year. My wife knew Cal well and loved his smile, graciousness, and work as an artist.
In one of my last communications with Cal I reminded him “…your smile puts a positive energy in any room.” We’ll carry that energy with us and raise a toast to Cal at the next Medium Festival, filled with gratitude that we are all positively shaped because of his spirit and work with the beloved medium of photography.
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Loved his laughter. He really meant it!
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Dear Pat,
The memorial service was lovely. Cal will be missed. My parents lived in rural Alabama and I remember my mother calling me asking if knew a “Al George” when I said no, she told me that he said that Sunni and Bob had gotten married in his back yard. I corrected Cal’s name. He had been doing some work in Eutaw, AL, remember my parents live there and looked them up! That’s the kind of person he was, warm and considerate. I will miss him, and I hope we stay in touch.
Love and blessings to you, Karen and Mark.
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Greetings Pat, Karen & Mark,
I’m so sorry that I couldn’t make it there today but know that I’m with you all and Cal.
I met Cal during my 18th year of life so essentially I’ve known him my entire adult life. He was a thoughtful person who gave me work opportunities and showed up for all the festive occasions celebrating with a smile and laugh. He was always sure to have a conversation with everyone, even the little kids.
Pat mentioning dancing reminded me of my fondest memories of Cal dancing at my wedding and he and Pat dancing all night at my Mom’s Christmas in July Birthday party. If there was music and a dance floor you can believe they were on it.
Finally, I guess my best memory was of Cal when he came back from the Alaskan Cruise where he and Pat met. I baby sat his dog Bantry when Cal would travel. He got home from the cruise grinning like a Cheshire cat telling me about this lady he met on the ship and the fun they had. After that my cat Robert, Bantry and I were hanging out every other weekend when Cal was in New Jersey (?) courting Pat. Talk about cute!
Well may God bless and keep you all. Much love. Another Kathi 🙂
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My memory of first meeting Cal fails me, unfortunately. But I recall with great fondness the times I spent with Pat and Cal. He had a huge zest for life, and despite his vision impairment, he loved art. Thinking of Cal and Pat leads me to think of museums and galleries, which were typically where we met when we got together, not having lived in the same state. Then, when I saw his photography and artwork after he became an artist, I was amazed at his talent. He clearly loved people, and I found him unusually communicative in a meaningful way. When I think of Cal, I think of a man of keen intelligence, with a great sense of humor and fun. May his memory be for a blessing, and may happy memories ease the pain of loss for you, my dear friend, Pat.
Phyllis Nagelberg, with love.
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Dear Pat and Family,
What a lovely and fitting memorial for Cal. I have no doubt he was there.
I was so fortunate and honored to have been in Cal’s orbit. He was a beautiful person inside and out. He is a national service legend and his work directly helped many, many people. I cherish our discussions we had over the last 20 or so years. He is very wise, empathetic, thoughtful. and generous. He helped me get through some tough times. I am so thankful for him. I love Cal.
Cal is many things, but what I will remember him most for is his bravery. Cal fought the good fight. He loved life and most of all loved Pat. He faced it all with a stiff spine and an unyielding courage to live another day.
Cal lived a meaningful life and he mattered. My heart is with you Pat and family. I hope you find grace as you grieve. Much Love to you.
Sincerely,
Tom Branen
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Thinking of all the fun we had at dinners and plays and movies and seeing your photography. Missing you Cal. Beautiful service Pat. Wish I could have been there in person.
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Cal was one of my first bosses and introduced me to the world of health centers and national service. He went from boss to mentor to friend over time. I learned to become a better writer, a better thinker, and even how to manage the DC Metro more strategically (as he knew the closest escalator to every car and every station). Pat, his family, and his photography were his life outside of his work–and he will shine bright everyday in all of our lives. Thanks for the laughs, the battles, the victories, and the guidance, Cal.
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I met Cal in Washington in the 1980s when we attended the same meetings related to National Services . He and I were political soulmates. I admired his devotion to values rooted in the New Deal, New Frontier and Great Society and I enjoyed fixing the world through our conversations. He was also just a smart, kind, and fun person. Thank you Pat for allowing us to cherish Cal’s memory.❤️
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I was a member of 40Plus when Cal was.
It was interesting to hear the tributes at this Celebration of Life.
Listening to the tributes, I felt that Cal lived 97 years packed into 77.
He will be missed.
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Joyce and Ivan Portnoy are watching this memorial service from Florida. We have wonderful memories of your wedding, of visiting you in Bethesda, and having you see us here in Boynton Beach. We celebrated many holidays together before Pat moved with Cal to Washington. We both know Pat since her freshman year of college at Indiana University, and we were so happy that she met someone as special as Cal. We are happy to see both Karen and Mark, even under these circumstances, and we are happy that everyone has such wonderful memories of Cal. Sending much love!
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I am thankful that Cal was there at the beginning of my career. He introduced me to the world of health centers and national service, and was a leader through in through. His mentorship became a friendship and I learned so much from him that I look back on now as a leader and mentor now to realize how impactful it really was on my life. To Pat and Cal’s family–he loved all of you so much. He looked forward to every moment together and that was clear. My thoughts are with everyone as we celebrate Cal’s life, his vision for a better world, and never forget the mark he left on all of us. Thank you, Cal.
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What a lovely guy Cal was. I was sorry, for purely selfish reasons, when the two of you moved away from the East Coast.
Sending you my deepest condolences, Pat. I hope it will be possible to see you sometime soon.
With love,
Carren
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Pat, so glad we can be together — if only virtually — to celebrate the life force that was Cal. He always found a way. love to you and the family, Judy
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Very sorry for your loss, Pat. Gary and I enjoyed our dinners together. Cal was a very kind person and our photography brought us all together.
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I enjoyed our outings when each of you came to LA together and alone. We never ran out of things to talk about, restaurants to try and desserts to sample. May his memory be a blessing.
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today. May you all be surrounded by much love, comfort and support.
Blessings, Judy
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I am so thankful for all the times I spent with Uncle Cal as a young girl, so many wonderful memories! I will always remember Allysa’s wedding and Uncle Cal and Aunt Pat on the dance floor!
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Very sorry for your loss. Wish we could have had more time together.
Best wishes and strength.
Richard and Lynne Tyler
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I did not know Cal well. We only worked together briefly in the early 2000s when he was getting the Community HealthCorps started and hired me to do some consulting work. But Cal made a real impression. He was from an older generation, but he clearly had remained young at heart. He was always eager to learn about best practices from around the world of AmeriCorps, to bring those best practices to the HealthCorps, and to encourage innovation. I have no doubt that he made everything he touched a little better.
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I remember a very much in love romantic couple. Cal and Pat were quite the loving husband and wife and it was a lovely experience to be with them. What a story about how they met on a cruise and their many years together of adventures and sharing themselves with others. ❤️❤️
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Blessings Pat,
I’ll be on the live stream.
Gerri
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I first met Cal at 40Plus. He was a mentor to many of the members. We became close friends. He helped many who were in a career transition (looking for work). He made a difference. One thing I remembered was Cal telling me that he and Pat were going to Santa Fe. He thought it would be a good place to open an art gallery. Since I’ve been there I laughed, saying the last thing Santa Fe needs is a new art gallery. We miss him.
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Pat,
Thinking of you on this special day. I will be at a special concert that Doug is singing in this afternoon, so will miss the live stream. But will be there in spirit as we lift our voices in song. Please come visit us in Florida for a dose of healing sunshine and ocean breezes. Hugs, Lynn Osborne.
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Dear Pat, I am so sorry for your loss of Cal. I have fond memories of meeting him here in New York. He was such a wonderful man. May the good and wonderful memories you have of being together with him bring you comfort. Sending love, Sandy Levenson
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Cal and I worked together at the Community Relations Social Development Commission (CR-SDC)
during the 1970’s. During this period, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) federal legislation which was the focus of addressing issues of poverty and racial inequity. OEO’ funded million’s of dollars which were directed toward alleviating the disconnect between the US goals of justice and equity and the unnerving realities of living in a segregated and unjust society. Cal had unique skills of merging ideas from local residents into funding proposals to OEO and convincing OEO to fund the desired program. Cal was able to communicate effectively with all parties involved in implementing innovative employment programs which addressed the immediate needs of unemployed black residents of the City of Milwaukee, WI. He worked with groups of residents who shared their employment, family and social needs. Cal was able to design a program to be endorsed by the local community group and funded by OEO. Cal’s unique ability of communicating with central city residents and his ability to motivate OEO to fund the innovative employment program served as an example of his continued success in generating millions of dollars to serve needy Milwaukee central residents…Retired Deputy Dir CR-SDC during the 1970’s
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Our hearts go out to you & your family during this difficult time. Cal was a loving husband & we will al;ways remember how he made you laugh & supported you in everything you did. He was kind & generous & will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. With Love Harriet & Jack
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Dear Families and Friends of Cal. Cal and I worked together when he went to NACHC to start the Ameri Corp/Health Corp Program. We were one of his first recruits. He explained his idea and the 6 of us looked at each other and thought it was a brilliant idea but questioned if it would work.. It was new, cutting edge and would push a national program to go outside it’s historical scope. He believed it was the right thing to do for patients, health care, community and health centers. Cal was relentless in your vision. Cal worked hard and got it approved! First health program in the Ameri Corp Program, Cal’s idea. HIs visionary work created what today has expanded to other federal agencies. And back in San Francisco, through the 5 years we ran the program (it was just re-started 6 years ago0, in San Francisco, 480 of our graduates went onto into training as a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Two became dentists, one a veterinarian, over 10 Master Level Social Workers, several Medical Assistants. Over 98% of our graduates entered the medical field. And Cal you created the opportunity and if made an impact on thousands of lives. Time after time, Health Corp Members, their parents, their clinic sites and patient talked about the experience you dreamed each would have.
Working with Cal was a true inspiration. Cal deserve so many awards and accolades. For me, you were an inspirational leader, a dedicated friend and you will have a special place in my soul and in my thinking. Thank you Cal. John Gressman, San Francisco
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I got to know Cal very well since he was married to my best friend, his wife Pat, who lived in Summit NJ.
Pat’s children went to the same school in Summit as my children. When Pat and Cal visited us , we went to New York for lunch or dinner, always interesting conversations with CaI! I admire his positive attitude going through a long period of illness. Cal was a cheerful person with a great sense of humor. I will always remember him that way.
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I’m so honored to have gotten to know my cousin Cal over the years. He told me numerous stories about my father (Cal’s first cousin) on many occasions which were just priceless. I loved his informal telephone calls to me, and his genuine interest in developing a relationship with me. Thanks, Cal.